' 


The  LIFE  of 


Dr.  Cotton,  Mather. 


\l  I  F 

<&  *  OF    THE 

y  .-*. 


REVEREND  and 


D.  D.    &  F.  R.  S. 


PaftoT  of  the  Nm/&  C^»r^  in  2  OS?0 
Who  Diedlj  F^.  13-  «7*7»&- 


SAMUEL    MATHER,    M.A, 


i.  t,  •*•  ASw.ltowMb  kit  Fattier. 


NHDIOS  OS  TI2  TQV  OIKTPQ2 
fONEQN 

SQTfiOG, 


fpi  SAMirBt,  GERRIIHJ,  in 

8<3DCCXXIX. 


SEN  AT  U  I 


r^ 

( 

00  L  . 

Academic 

\ 

E 


Glafguenfis 

ILLUSTRISSIMO 

S.  P.    in   JE*V 


B  America  rcrnotSj  in  feipfo  vix  not^tw 
dignus,  fed  minime  vulgaris  ex  Origint'p 
juvenisj  SSNATUI'  veflro  perfccta  Rcfpr- 
matione  l|)c<5tabili  clariffimoq;  bascxatavit 
Litcras,  veftra  Iblummodo  Humanitare 
26  Benefic?0t4a  animatusj  -non  Audacia  excitatus 


DftDICATIO. 


SuMM.vs/r  quo  meum  exornaftis  PARENT  EM*, 
Honos  AcacfeinicuS)  infpcratus  illi  omnino  contigitj, 
adeoq;  gratior  ;  pro  Cultu  itaq;  vcftro  ad  cxtremuro 
ufq;  Spiritum  Ecclefise  Fratrifcus  Scotican<e  infcrvirfe 
fumma  fcmper  fait  Ambitio.,  omncfq;  illos  obligandi 
Occafioncs  IsetlilimMS  arripuif. 

' 


V 


PA*  tV  JllG-mius  imihor* 
tails  Vitam  Htric  Tcliquit  irifcricft-dfti/  -vbtifq;  non 
poiKt  amplius  refolvcrc  Debita  ;  idcirco,  qui  a 
ton^e  fequitur  femper  adorans  Pejtigta,  FILIU§ 
cjus  unicuSj  prout  in  Rcpub.  lite^raria  cpnflitutus  cjus 
Procurator,  ingentcra  Dcdicationis  h'ujufce  Libcrta- 
vtcm  fibi  arrogatj  ut  rcliduasn  Patcrni  Nominis  par- 
um  cxpediat. 


VITA,  qusc  vobis,  SEN  A  TVS  celel>errime,  a 
Fiiio  PATRIS  digniffimi  qoam  humillime  dicatur, 
partim  ex  Mpnimentis  Patcrnis,  partim  ex  notitia  mca 
aliorumq;  colligitur  >  abfq;  vcro  ullis  iniquis  indebitifq; 
Laudibus.  In  mca  ctcnlm  Scntentia,  iicut  ct  PLINII., 
Hiftoria  twn  Oflentationi,  fed  Fichi  fertrariq;  com- 
foneretur,  nee  debet  egredi  yeritatem  ;  honefle  emn 
faff  is  yeritasfujfit.it.  Vcrum  igitur  quod  fait  per 
totam  PA  TR  is  Vitam  perquam  rcligiofe  ium  contem- 
platus  <^c  ad  amuffim  obfervavi  ;  ac  revera  cuin 
HIERONYMO  dicam,  cSeJler  J^ESUM—  Chrijlia- 
num  tie  Cbriftiano  vtra  froferre.  —  MELCHIOFV 
CANVS  dolcnter  diczt--~Afi<!iO  jl.vcrius  a  L 
lPLilcfopkcrnm  ejje  firiffas.,  qu^.m  a 
Sc.nftcnw.  fed  hie  ncn  locus 


NsMiMuM  vcArum,  Viri  optimi,  pr^terir^  YItns 
Mcotoriafq;  Virorum  illuftrium  dulccs  eifc  pariter 
ac  utiics  ;  dehitas  die  morttiis  ;  Pofterifq:  v^'de  ne- 
c^ifarias.  rnodo  lie  prxilar.ria  prs:  Ociilis  %'irtutis 

-  *  '•<» 


w 

D   6    D    I    C    A    T    I   0. 


\ 

ixcropla  habeantj,  adeoq;  illos,  quifer  FiJem 
fttisntiam  ktredittrio  obtincM  Jun  'PrcmiJJio 
profequatitur. 


Ac  pro  ccrto  htbcmus,  'quod  ficu*  Exemplum 
Affedtiones  vehcmentcr  commovet,  vix  etitm  quio 
quam  ad  cmcndandos  Mores^et  inOrdincm  redigcndos 
plus  h«bct  EfRcacije.  Non  tantam  perfuadendi  Vim 
poffidet  Oratio  vel  clegamiffima,  quam  Vita  bent 
jnorata  :  Sic  multi  cc'nfebant  Vcteres.  Cuin  itaq ; 
jipud  HOMEH'UM  JR**  Ecfninum  TIDYD^N  ad  Prz- 
lium  ftimularet,  TYDEUM  fuifFo  Patrem  admonuit  ; 
Hinc  quoq;  £NBAS,  apud  VIRCILIUM,  ad  Moli- 
'mina  prjeclara  ASCANIUM  provocans,  in  hunc  adhor- 
tatur  modum,  —  ^e  *Pater 
txciter 


Rationem  PATRIS  ad  Exemplar 
Tvobis,  Viri  lc<flil!iini,  hocce  exhitet  Opus  :  Utcunq; 
vcro  a  wieo  dcprimatur  Laborc  /  libere  tamen  fateor 
^C  aflcrcre  non  vcreor,  Opus  natura  fua  pndhn- 
tiffimum  cfTe  atq;  utiliffimum,  ac  forfan  GLAS- 
GUENSIUM  Oculis  haud  omnino  indignum. 
Ac  fi  vobis  ita  liquldo  conflat,  bene  ir.ecum  agitur: 
Alii  noftra  impugned,  ttos  nojtraq;  lividi  in  Odio 
habcant  ;  Sed,  fi  veiirum  confequamur  Favorcm 
(Sc  Patrocinium,  Supcriorcs  cvademuc. 

Hrc,  SENATUS  Acadeanis  prxflantiflime,  veftrum 
enunciarcm  Vcritatis  Amorem,  Regimen  fcvere 
bonum,  Charitatemq;  fatis  extenfivam  j  icd,  pro  more 
Scriptorum  hodiernorunij  vefiras  non  eioquar 
Laudcs  ;  vobis  enim  non  gratx  forent,  licet  jfinccrx ; 
atq;  aliis  fupervacant^  :  circus  eft  cteniui 
a  on  vidcr 


I? 


.  VESTRA  Acadccnli.,  Viri  omnigena  Dqftrina  & 
Dictate  rcfertviub  JACOBO  Scoti<e  Iccandfr  •  &it 
fandati  ;  »b  illius  ad  Utton^jt  Sccuruft  clcmcntiffimi 
•dhuc  floruit  Regnumi  atq;  ad  Secundutn  DOMIWI 
Dominorum  Adveatum  efflorefcac  ac  vigeat  I 

.  •  '  '  •          -x 

CUM  prsgrandi  Vcncntionc  it^i   Airdorc  iVe** 

<fcnguibili  fubfcribo* 


SENATUS  Illuflriffime 


Vefter  ob 


et  hiimilliiiius  Servt 


S  A  MU  J?.  ;.    M  A.  TH  lEil 

lAtbain, 
.  -.'.i 


fcVyV*** *"*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  # 
THE 

PREFACE 


DR.  COTTOM  M  A  T.H 
conjiantly  Reading  in  this  remote  Corner  ff 
AMERICA,  k*s  yet  for  near  thtft  Forty 
Tears  made  fo  rifing  &  great  a  Figure  in 
the  Letrtud  World,,  as  has  attra&ed  to  Him  while 
alive,  the  Eyes  of  many  at  the  furtkeft  'Difiance  ; 
and  now  .deceafed  can't  tut  rai/'e  a.  very  general- 
Wijb  to  fee  the  Swift,  and  mrt  effecially  the  2Jc~ 
mtfthk  fart  cffo  jQifliriguiJking  A  LIFE  exhibited, 
Hisfrinted  Writings  fo  full  of  Tiety  and  various 
Erudition,  Jsisvtft  Correspondence,  and  the  ccntimm' 
Reports  of  Traveller.  s  wko  bad  ctnverjed  with  Him3 
bad  fpread  bis  Reputation  into  ctberCouatries  :  .Ax<i 
when  about  Fourteen  Tears  ago  I  travelled  abroad*. 
I  cou'd  not  but  admire  to  what  Extent  his  Fe.m 
had  reasleed,  and  bow  itiquifitivs  were 
vf  Letters  to  hear  and  knew  cf  the  mojl 
find  lively  Manner  both  of  his  private  Cox-verfa- 
"ion  and  fublick  'Performances  ftr.oag  us. 

AND  indeed,  ^ioRtvsREND  FATHER* 
with  us  has  agretbly  obferved  *.  ----  ec  Hii  Printed 
"r  "Work*  ivillnot  convey  to  'Posterity,  ncr  gii'°  t? 
!*  Strangers  a  juft  Idea  of  the  real  Wont)  c.:':l 
gre/tt  Learning  of  the  Man.  His  Works  v:ill 
indeed  inform  all  that  read  tlem,  cf  his  grett 
Knowledge  and  fingular  f'iety,  /••/;  Zf&f  fcr 
GOD  and  Holinsjs  and  'Truth,  and  }:i$  t 
of  the  Salvation  cf  freclcus  Sovls  :  'But  it 
CONVERSA  TION  and 


Thf   R«V-    Mr.  COLMAN    in  his  Funeral  Sftm- 

r  a  1  *• 


The    PREFACE. 

/;;  his  familiar   and  occa/iottal  IDifceurfes 
(t  and  private  Communications 3  that  difcoveredthe 
r  vajl  Comptfs  of  his  Knowledge,    and  the  (Pro- 
c  jeffions    of  his   'Piety,    more    I  have  Jbmetimes 
e  tho't  than  all  his   <Putyit  Exercifes,    Hfre  He 
'  sxcell'd,  Here  He  Jb*fte  ;    being  exceedingly   com- 
tc  munitative,  and  bringing  ovtojhis  Trea fares  things 
c  new  and  old  without  meafure.    Here  it  ivasfeex 
e  how  Ion  Wit  and  Fancy,  bis  Invention,  ftis/JQuick- 
e  nefs  of  T'bo't  and  ready  jfpprehcrifjvv,  yctre  all 
tc  confe  crated  to   GOD,    as  well   as  his "  Heart, 
"  Will  and  jtiffeffions  :  And  out  of  his  Abundance 
ee  within,  his  Lips  overflowed,  drop'd  as  the  Honey- 
cc  comb,  fed  all  that  came  near  Him  ;  and  were  as 
e-  the  choice  Silver,  for  Richnefs  and  Srightnefs, 
"  Tleafure  and  Profit ". 

EVERY  cne  who  intimately  knew  the  DOCTOR, 
will  readily  futfcribe  to  this  jDefcription.  By  his 
learned  Works  find  Correspondence  thofe  who  lived 
at  the  great  eft  2)tfta»cs  might  difcover  much  of  his 
fup eri our  Light  and  Influence :  But  they  cou'd 
tJifcern  thefe  only  by  a  more  mediate  and  faint 
Reflefticn  :  I'hey  cou'd  neither  fee  nor  well 
imagine  that  extraordinary  Luflre  of  pious  and  ufe- 
ful  Literature,  wherewith  -we  were  every  2)ay 
entertained,  furprfcfd  ami  fatisfted,  who  dwelt  in 
the  diretter  Rays,  'in  the  more -immediate  Vifion. 

GREAT  Abilities,  an    ix  fat  table  I'kirft  for  all 
"kinds,    of  Knowledge,  an    extraordinary   Quicknefs 
of  Apprskertfiott,  Liuelinefs  of  Fancy,  with  a  ready 
Invention  and  ARive  Spirit,  feemed  to  bs  the  chief 
Ingredients  of  f:is  Natural  Genius  :     And  all  rhefe 
leing  fanFtifad  in  his  early  tDays,  indued  with  a 
•'livine  Syajs  and  turned    to   the   noblejl  Objefts  ; 
He  became  inflamed  with   th?  moft   ardent  cj)ejires 
TO   .  .to  Hivfelf  jrcm   all  jorts  of  Writings, 

:i.fiL>cu>i>kd  Tred/tve  of  curious  and  itfcful  Learn 
ing,   and  to  find  cit    all   imaginable -Ways  of  im- 
\ing  it,  for  tie  Glory  of  G  O  D,  the    Gcod  of 
Men.,  and   the  AJv.i»cev;evt  o/'his  own  'Perfection  : 
.  Tke.t  as  He  grew  in  Knewledgr,  He  wight  increafe 
in  Gooansfs   and  Ujl'fidfitfs,-  and  become   a  greater 

t>     (.Xt: /l!h'S    'BlffflrtZ.  Sc» 


The    P  R  E  F  A  C  E.  5 

So  much  Erudition,  fucb  bigb.ZDegrees  of  Piety, 
and- fitch  an  Active  Life  jV;  doing  Good,  united  in 
the  fame  'Perfon,  are  very  rarely  fee»  -among  the 
Sons  of  Men,  By  a  tranfient  Acquaintance  with 
Him,  one  ivoit'J  think,  that  being fanftijied  from 
the  Birth,  He  bad  made  the  utmoft  Improvement 
of  his  T'ime  in  the  PURSUIT  OF  KNOWLEDGE  : 
But  upon  a  further  Vieiti  of  the  Social  fart  of 
his  Life,  the  continual  Refort  of  Vifitants,  with 
bis  gentle  and  eafy  Entertainment  of  'em  at  ctt 
Hours,  and  bow  He  ivou'd  fcarce  let  the  Mcaneji; 
or  Toungeft  fafs  Him  without  Inftruftion  ;  It  fee m\l 
as  if  almoft  all  his  T'ime  were  fwallowed  up  with 
CONVERSATION  :  And  yet,  being  1st  into 
a  more  intimate  jDifcovery  of  his  number  left  ai.J, 
ferfetual  Contrivances  and  Labours  to  do  Gocd 
in  the  World  ;  one  wcifd  then  be  ready  to  con 
clude  that  ho  cou'J  have  no  Time  left  for  Either, 
but  mufi  bave  ffent  it  all  iff  ACTION, 

HAVING    made  Himfelf  an   Marly  jifafier   of 
the   Learned  Languages,   One   of  tie   facial  Mt- 
T  H  o  BS  by  which    he  fo  iveil   improv'J   his  'l;>,'tr 
und  acquired  fuel  a  vaft  Extent   cf  Science  Jeetfid 
to  be  ;  that  tho*  for  his   'Progrejs  in   'Divide  Li 
terature,    He   kspt    to   tJ.e  .cortftant    Study    of  the. 
SACRED  ORACLES   in  their  inspired  Originals,  yc( 
for  Other  Writings  he  cared  not   to  trouble    f-iu.illf 
with  any  but  .thofe  tkat  were  likely   to  bring  /V//> 
Jometbing    New, '  .and  fo  increajt   bf£    Kno-ivledgc. 
In  tivo  or  three   Minute.;  turning    thro'  a  Vt-litn; >: , 
ioe  cou'J  eafily  Tell  -:iv/'tV/v;'  it  -:vou\i  mxke    Ad 
ditions   to  the  Store  of  bis    f./t  .-•••.     If  it  cou\l  nor, 
He  quickly  laid  it    by  :     If  cticyscife,  kc  reed   it, 
faffing  -over   all  rbcfc  (}'<irts    •:</'/-:/;  contained   the 
thing*  he  fond  known  btf (.;'<.;   pci  n{i>>.:r  thofe   'Parts 
only  t?"s.t  tcfrc'j'l'uTt-'tJ  f(.M€thing  Novel,   ivtiih  foe 
jPcnc.tl  •&   4,7.1    /'f  Tf't'&f  f.lonz,  /.''.'.';"/   at    t he   Jiiul  re 
ts   ijh  Common    Places,    to  be 

.e\v-J,  &:  !  ;  f.'r  ^   •rji  r/.is  --.vitb  'Bonder jul 

•7wf  <?  Coxrfe  he    t-ook   to    UHfittrfkl 

•'-•zzftd  in  Tears,  the    kfs 

,  ^pe/;J  i%  running  tfr>'o'  an 

[  a   .  '    Am  bar  ; 


4  The    P  R  E  F  A  C  £. 

Author  ;  till  at  length  there  were  but  few  BOORS 
p-tblijhcd  that  would  take  him  much  to  read.  And 
many  that  were  celebrated  for  their  various  Learn 


ing  be  found  bad  link  in  them  but  what  he 
btcu  acquainted  with  before. 

NOR  wen  fa  Common-Places  the  only  1rea» 
Juries  of  hi*  rich  Ideas  :  cJhey  were  but  mere 
Securities  that  He  might  »ot  lofa  them  :  And 
He  us'd  to  have  them  at  eommand  on  the  wojt 
fudden  Incidents  3  and  in  common  Coftverfatiott,  which 
had  therefore  always  fomething  new.  And  was 
ever  entertaining  and  injiruftive.  By  tltis  means 
it  was  that  He  k*d  the  tnojl  agreatle  and  effectual 
ii'  ay  of  Reproving  a,  friend  ftr  what  affear'J 
am  if  s  3  or  of  Exciting  to  a  negieffied  ZDstty,  that  I 
ever  met  with.  Inftead  of  dting  tkis  direftly> 
which  might  have  been  too  Offwfive,  He  wou'd 
rather  bring  fang  Hiftory  or  Observation  in  tkc 
Form  ofaplfafaHtNznitivCtivbicff  He  had  ready 
at  hand  for  all  Occafions  ;  and  being  extreatnly 
,  w'cu'd  leave  his  Friend  to  the  ntojl  pungent 


AND  hi*  glowing  CHARITY  And  PIETY 

fprcad  a  further  Zuftre  on  his  tther  Excellencies. 
His  burning  Zealjor  GOD,  and  fervent  Benevolence 
And  £ove  for  Men,  were  continually  working  in 
Him,  iwployitig  all  his  T'alents,  Tbo'ts  and  Cares, 
by  Nig)  it  and  c£zy>  and  breaking  firth  into  nuw- 
berlefs  'Projections,  aitd  intense  Indeavours,  which 
•wafted  find  cotjfum'd  his  Lije.  He  was  an  utter 
.Enemy  to  religious  tyranny  and  Impojition  :  He 
was  of  very  Cath.olick  find  Comprebenfive  'Prin 
ciples  :  He  never  valued  any  particular  Forms  of 
Wcrfiip,  tuilrfs  they  were  of  'Divine  j4pptititmettt  • 
Witt  it  was  ~tt;e  Spirit,  tkc  Power,  tkc  Practice 
«/  'the  great  Duties  of  Religion  in  the  CHRISTIAN 
.[nfticitUn  flat  bis  Heart  was  jet  on  :  jAnd  this 
lie  was  for  cPycpagatiiigy  by  convincing  and  moving 


10  Human*  Libeft. 

TME 


The    P  R  E  F  A  C  E.  $ 

T  H  i  following  Draughts  "Mill  give  tftt  *Pul>lick 
&&  t»ttrt*ining  Speiinsn  of  his  wonderful  Improve 
ment  of  2ime,  And  tkt  various  and  furprizin^  Me 
thods  He  inventtd  And  furfued  for  the  Advance- 
tnsnt  of  t  bis  vital  Titty,  both  in  HimfelftS  Others. 
5T&0*  delibtfAte  i»  Speech,  yet  expeditious  in  Indi 


ting  ;  and  htving  the  fen  of  a  ready  Writer,  that 
knew  not  bow   to  fattltir  in  its  fiviff   career  ;     He 
continually  preferred  Records  of  the  federal  Rules 
and  Schemes  He  formed  for  his  oivrt  *Diret~tion,  and 
(>f  his  diurnal  'Prtfecutions  of  them.    He  has  by  this 
weans  left  a,  great  Abundance  of  excellent  Materials 
for  his  more  private   Hiftory  :     And  the  Accounts 
that  follow  being  extracted  chiefly  from  Them,  firs 
*\f9  agrealtle   to  that  'Part   of  bis  Life  which  fell 
under  the  Qbfervation  ofthofe  10  ho  ivere  acquainted 
•with  Hint  -,  and  fo  nearly  anfwtred  to  theje  Litest 
Rules  noivpublifoed,  that  we  cou'd  mt  but  conclude 
He  had  them  tlwtys  in  hit  Eye,  tbo*  ive  had  neusr 
feen  them. 

His  Son,  the  Ctmpikr   having  theft  great  Ad 
vantages,  can  have  therefore  no  Occafion   to  invent 
A»y  %dditi,ons   to   his  2)ear  Father's  Hiflory.    He 
has  rather  aimed  at  Brevity,  and  to  -write  as  littls 
upon  every  Head  AS  foffible.     And  indeed,,   if  He 
bad  'Publijhid  all  that  his  Written  Memorials  i 
leave   tnahled  him,  or  that   himfelf  an  -I  others, 
been  Witnejfis  of,  He  had  not  only  puosll'<i~the  y 
to  too   large  a  fus  for  the  prejent   ^e    to  kear, 
e,nd  thsreby  hurt  its  Ufefulnefs  ;    bu^  be  m  -ft  havs 
alfo  given  Jucb  a  full  Account  of  this  extraordinary 
T  erf  on  as  ivould  have  excss^d^i  tk>i  Belief  of  thofs 
who  -ivers  Strangers  to  Hiut.     'fhs  v:ry   bars  N  irrn- 
tion  ivould  have  rather  looked  like   the   cclebra^'l- 
Life   of  C  Y  R  u  s3    and  be   dirpur?d   by  l'Po'lci^ty 
whether  it  were    Jefigtfd  and  drawn  'for  a  mixt 
Romance,    or  a  real    Hidory. 

THE    native  Fondnefs  of    a   filial  Mind    for  a 
Father's  Honour,  may  give  O-.c&flon  for  the  fteitier 
"to  fufyeft,  in  fuch  a  cafe  as  this,  an  E<c.efs  of-Praifc. 
'*?:••  ij'  fun?  other  (P*ns  had  b;ci}Hmt>lo\\,l  in  draiv- 
.'    fDtfirtojfpn    of  t/jis  exalted  Qwraflcr,    & 
1  [a  5  ]         '•       k   :'  *?* 


6  The    P  R  E  F  A  C  i 

am  vsrv  certain  they  ivould  have  give* 
a  greater  Liberty,  as  not  bein§  quite  fa  cautious 
cf  exceeding  as  a  natural  Relative.  And  for  ether 
thing;,  the  ingenuous  Reader  will  rathsr  indulge  the 
blooming  Offspring  qffo  Great  a  'Parent  ;  Effecially, 
when  the  Firft  Huits  fa  confccratcs  to  tke  tublick 
vfsy  are  fo  rich  and  falutary  as  thefe  before  us. 

BUT  now,  Methinks,  I  have  need  offome  goad 
Apology  for  my  o°wn  <]Prefumption  to  Preface  tbs 
Life  oj  fitch  a  Matt,  and  recommend  it  to  the  World. 
J  have  none  but  this,  —  That'thenow  Slejfed  Subjcft 
cf  it  having  been  pleafed  to  admit  me  into  a* 
bappy  Intimacy  with  Him,  upon  my  Return  t&  this, 
tny  Native  Country  ;  I  havi  been  thereby  too  highly 
obliged  —  to  deny  thcjDtfires  cf  Toil  Orphan  Son> 
that  I  ixoifd  introduce  him  thus  into  the  'Publick 
view,  and  from  my  oivrt  Experience  fay  fo  mucb 
as  may  in  fom»  meafure  move  tkt  curious  Tajfenger, 
to  turn  'afide  and  look  into  this  refleftin%  Mlr- 
rour,  and  with  pleajitg  Wonder  contemplate  tht 
Great  Original. 

A  N  D  to  fay   no  more,   /  cannot  think  to 

•xijh  a  richer  BLESSING  in  the  prejent  State 
cf  the  'Propbetick  Syflem  ;  than  that  the  GOD 
of  the  Spirits  of  all  Hefh,  would  in  jny  owtt  dear 
fount ry,  and  every  Other,  raife  up  Numbers  of 
fuch  Aiinijlers  as  this,  and  profper  this  Superiour 
Example  for  the  forming  and  animating  of  them  • 
'fhcrt  they  may  burn  and  jhine  as  He,  and  prepare 
the  World  for  the  moft  illuftrious  .Appearance  of 
the  GREAT  GOD  our  Saviour  JESUS 
CHRIST,  that  S  u  N  of  Righteoufnefs,  —  tke 
boundkfs  and  flowing  Source  cf  All  the  infinitely 
lower  Excellence  and  fainter  Brightneji  ive  m  every 
Tlace  and  Ae3  admire  in  Others. 


Bofton,  Feb.   27. 

Priripe, 


t' J 


*,& 


A  L  I  S  T  of  the 

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TJIS Excellency  WILLIAM  BURNET  Eft.  Captain 
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New-Hampfhirc  i»  New-England. 

fbB  fftnoraih  WILLIAM  DUMMER  Efy.    Lieut. 
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i 


t'j 


THE 


Introduction, 


T  is  agreed  by  all,  that  .Kives  cf 
eminent  Men  are  very  profitable,  and 
that  the  IVritin?  of  them  is  of  great: 
ijfc  to  the  World  ;  efpecially  ii  their 
Examples  have  bin  very  ihining,  and 
they  have  •  ferved  their  Generation. 
to  the  'Divine  Will;  and 


therefore  it  is  that  fo  many  Anr.hnts  and  Moderns 
have  endeavoured  to  tranfmit  thro*  Ages  down  to  the 
iateft  Pofterity  the  Lives  &  Actions  of  their  vertuovss 
and  excellent  Friends. 

IT  has  ever  likewife  bin  ailow'd  proper  for  SONG  to 
communicate  to  the  World  Accounts  of  their  goocf  • 
and  great  PARENTS  :  to  tell  what  they  were.,  what 
they  have  done  and  fufFer'd,  how  they  tho'tj  arid  on 
what  Accounts  others  are,have  bin^ormaybe  the  be'uei 
for  them  :  I  lay,  it  has  bin  look'd  upon  as  convenient 
for  Sons  thus  to  honour  th'eir  farentSj  who  have  bin 
jponoure<I  tan  I  fci^bly  favoured  of  Heaven  ;  tot  '/7e;n 
k  ^J^f^lfc^  whf  are  there  fo  many  Era'rrpie: 

» 


/  N  T  R  a  ft  U  c  r  /  o  A; 

Times  as  well  as  in  f owner  Generations,  of  this 

nay  thin 
'Partiality  and  •  be  ack 

-•ivaee  Afomo'i 

have  had  more  ./?  'heir  /. 

e  the   UK*  -v,'th  the 

.1  theic  Accounts 
they  citat^d  than  and 

:•  hope  to 
Performance  by  '     >.-; 

ENCOUKAGSP  and  animated  by  the  in  ,    of 

Ingenuity  who  bivt  gone  before  me,  and  pa?ticuiarly 
r>    own  FATHER   and  GKANDF*, 

Monuments,  for  tb. 

now  \\.rite  />Jf  Z*/f  <?/,  I  might  ^>  with  Sir  HEKRY 
WOT^ON,   the  BEST  cf  Fathers :  I  fhall  write  if  - 
an  inviolable  Fidelity  and  Truth  ;  and  I  here  d< 
tlut   rny  De5gr    »n 

i-  and  »• 

s  me;    .F,w->;   parc-erem,  _ 
R  1ST  I  ofprwrium  &  Ccrrupriimtw 
&  S 

-.  Amywld.  ^»fr7/.Spanhcm 


OB 

THE 

,     LIFE 

OF 

The  Reverend  &  Learned 

Dr.   Cotton  Mather. 

~~ 4  '    ~~" 

CHAP.    I. 

the  Subjett  of  tbe  Hiftcry  ;  bis  Birth,  Education, 
Early  Religion,  Marriages  and  Children,  tvitb 

Ibis  Methods  of  Education,  and  Rules  of  private 
ConduU. 

SECT.  i.     tfhe    Sub jeff  of  this    Hi  (lory,  exita   civ 
Account  of  bis  1)efcent  and  Family. 

R.    COTTON     MATHER  — 

He    was    born  Thurfday   Fd .    ii. 
iddij5.  at  Soften  in  Ne"c-E;i£l-aaJ. 

I  have  no  great  Difpofition  to  en 
quire  into  the  remote  Antiquities  of 
his  Family  ;  nor  indeed  is  it  matter  of  much  Confe- 
quence  that  in  our  Coal  oj  ttrins,  we  bear £;•»;/;;? 3  Oi", 
A Fefe*  Wavy, Azure,  three  Lions  rampant  ;  or_,  for  a 
Creil5  on  a  wreath  of  our  Colours  a  Lion  Sedani,  or 
on  a  Trunk  of  a  Tree  vert ;  —  The  Religion  and 
Learning  found  in  the  Family  was  the  morr.  agreeable 
Pleafure  to  my  Father.,  and  yields  the  moft  fatisfactoi  y 
Tlefle6tion  to'  me. 

2.  Dr.  JNCREA.SJ?  MATHER—  w] 

Relation's  T.r/ror  .to  the  North  Ckurcb  in    'i> 
*;>   'Prefkie'fjf    of  Harvard  College)  whofe    pn 
B  a 


4  .  27'if  tij'e  of 

Compofures  both  Latin  £  E»zlifo>  and  whofe  Agency 
in   the   Courts  of  three   Monarchs  for  his  afflicted' 
Country   have  rcndred  him  univerfally  known 
was  #/V  Father. 

5.  His  Mother  was  MARIA,  the  Daughter  of  the 
Renowned  Mr.  JOHN  COTTON;  who  was  a  Man  of 
very  exalted  'Piety  and  uncommon  Learning  :  Out 
of  Refpect  to  this  excellent  Man,  He  was  called 
COTTON. 

SECT.  2.  His  Education,  his  Eagernefs  an  d  'Progrefs 
in  Learning  ;  and  early  Favours  confer*  d  on  him* 


i.TTlS  Education  was  at  the  free  School  in 

*•*  under  the  Care,  fir  it  of  Mr.  BENJA.  THOMP 
SON,  a  Man  of  great  Learning  and  Wit,  who  was  well 
acquainted  wkhRotvan  and  Greek  Writers,  and  a  good 
Poet,  laft  under  the  famous  Mr.  EZEKI  EL  CHEEVER, 
who  was  a  very  learned  3  pious  Man,  and  an  excellent 
School-matter.  Under  theic  two  Mailers  he  made  a 
laudable  Proficiency. 

2.  BY  twelve  years  of  Age,  he  had  compofed  many 
Latin  Exercifes,    had  converted  with  TULLY,   TE 
RENCE,  OVID  and  VrRGiL,  had  gone  thro'  his  Greek 
I'eftament,  and  entred  upon  ISOCR  ATES,  HOMEK  and 
his  Hebre-w  Grammar  \  and  at  thatAge   was  admitted 
into  College.    The  pious  Dr.  HO-AR,  who  was  thea 
Preiident.,  according  toCuftom,  gave  him  this  prophe 
tical  Head  for  his  initial  Declamation, 

Telemacho  veniet,  vivat  modo3  fortior  JEtas. 

3.  AFTER  his  entrance   into  College  ,  he  made  *s 
quick  a  Difpatch   as  before,-  Maflering  Hebre-iv  per- 
fe^lyj  digtfting  ALEXANIJ.  RICHARDSON'S  Tables, 
which  he  tranfcribed  ;  compofing   Syftcms  of  Logic 
and  'Phyfic,  which   •Acre  atterwiirds   ufed  by  others  j 
and,  in  a  Word,  defcribing  the  Circle  of  all  the  Aca 
demical  Studies.    Many  are  the  Books  which  he  then 

read 


Pr,  Cot  TON  MATHER. 

read  with  ingenious  Remarks,,  of  which  he  kept  an 
Account  in  his 


^  WHEN  he  took  his  firft  Degree,  which  was  at 
the  Age  of  Sixnen3  Mr.  OAKES  the  i  rxfident,  in  his 
Oration  at  ^  the  Commencement  which  1  have  read, 
thus  exprciled  himielf  concerning  this  hopeful  i'ouch, 


—  Alter  vcro  COTTONUSMATHERTJS 
Quantum  Numen  !  Erravi,,  jt  tnr  Audited  ,   di- 
ijfem  etenim,  quanta  Nomina  '    tfikil  Ego  da  R 
cndo  PATRE,  Acad<mi£  Curator?  vigfhtati(fimoa 


nici^li  Academic.i  focia  primario,  dicnm,  quor-lam  co- 
ram  &  in  Os  laudarenoUm  :  fedfi  \Pietatem  }Er-!'iiti- 
ommy  Ingenium  ele^ans3  \fudicium  Solidum,  'PrudeK- 
fiam  &  G  .-:t  AVORUM  Revere  n  di  'Jimoruin 

J^OANNIS    CoTTOtfl   €t     RlCHARDI    MATHE.RIj    Te- 

ferat  et  reprefeutet,  omne  tulijje  'Punftitm  did  ooterit  . 
yec  defpero  futurum,  ut  in  hoc  Jnvem  COT  TON  us1 
atq  j  MATHERVS  ta  m  re  c>uam  Nomine  coakfcaitt  et 

revlvifcam,  — 

You  will  find  in  the  Cpurfe  of  this  Hiftory.,  thst 
this  great  Mans  Sentiments  were  juftj  and  his  Expe^a- 
cions  anlwered  :  So  that  I  may  now  infert  the  true 
Character  of  him^  when  he  made  fome  Figure  in  the 
World  ;  which  I  chufe  to  bring  in  here,  becauie  it  h;ir 
fome  Relation  to  Prxiident  OAKS'S  Prophecy 

A  Friend  thus  writes  of  him  ; 


tc  For  Grace  and  An  and  an  illuftrious 
fe  Who  would  not  look  fro.m  fuch  an  om'nous  Name  j 
ff  Where  tieo  great  Names  their  Sancluary  takgj 
fc  And  in  a  'Third  combin'd  a  greater  make  ? 

5.  VL'-H-  *:  he  was  half  3  Year  fhort  of  Nineteen,  he 
proceeded  Majhr  cf  Arts,  and  received  his  Degree  at 
{he  Hand  of  his  Father  who  was  then  Prxiident.  The 
Thefis  which  he  then   maintained  was,  cPuH<*lsi  He- 
nt  Orighris  2)i  vinte  :  But  he  afterwards  law 
,c  to  change  his  Mind,  and  held  the  contrary  Opi- 
Bi  9  oioa 


$  f&e  Life  of 

nion  to  the  laft.  He  tho't,  with  the  greatPniuR 
and  fome  others,  that  the  'Points  were  an  Invention 
of  the  Maforites ;  and.,  becaufe  he  could  read  and.per- 
fe^ly  underftand  Hebrew  without  them ;  he  imagined 
there  was  no  need  of  them,  unlefs  for  the  Ignorant, 
as  the  Jews  without  Queftion  were,  after  the  Baby~ 
Ion  t  ft  Captivity,  when  the  'Points  were  contrived  fo* 
their  Inltruclion. 

6.  HE  might  well  make  a  confiderable   Progrefsin 
Learning,  being  in  his  earlieft  Years  pretty  healthy  s 
having  withal  a  great  Capacity  for  Learning^   and 
being  'blelled  with  that  firft  ftep  to   Knowledge,  a 
modeft  Ivquijitivenefs. 

7.  AND,  as  it  is  obferved  there  are  very  few  who 
prove  zrrat  Men  unlefs  they  begin  betimes,  he  was 
very  defirous  of  following  SENECA'S  Advice,  that  is, 
to  baft'en  and  learn  betimes,  lift  when  olds  he  Jhoultl 
"be  obliged  to  it  f :  And  indeed  he  betimes  laid  up  a 
good  stock  of  Knowledge ;   like  tke  Iwfy-  Ant  that 
/tdds  to  its  beapy  not   igntrant  or  unaware  of  the 
future  \\. 

8.  ANTJ,  ifwhatfome  great  Men  have  hinted  be 
true  Nemo  Vir  magnus  fine  Afflatu  *,  while  he  was 
yet  young  he  bid  fair  to  be  great ;  for  he  believed  he 
fhould  be  fo  ;  he  ex  petted  it  ;   and  therefore  (  mult& 
tulif  fecitq;  &c.  )    he  bore  and  did  many  things  and 
disregarded  all  the  Difficulties  that  would  encompals 
him. 

SECT.  3.    His  Early  Religion. 

i.TT  is  an  excellent  Maxim,  That  thebeft  Gifts  are 
•*•  vain  unkficPic,ty  adorn  tb.-m  :  And  of  this  Mind 
was  he,  of  whom  I  am  writing,  from  his  very  Child 
hood. 

t  Perge  gf  fr^p-^rjj  -ne   tibi    accidat,   ut   Senex  Hifca:. 
Sen.  E    Q.  77-  '  fi  Horat.  Hi.  Epod.  Carmen  Secular e. 
*  Cis.  de 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHIIU  7 

AND,  altho'  his  Defire  of  Learning  was  very  great 
and  ftrong,  and  his  Attainments  were  truly  coniider- 
able,  he  was  not  more  noted  for  thefe  Gijts  than  for 
his  early  fiety  and  Religion. 

FROM  his  earlier!  Days  there  were  fevcral  good 
things  found  in  him.  \Vhen  he  began  to  fpeak  almofr, 
he  began  to  fray,  and  pra&ifed  this  Duty  conftantly 
while  he  was  a  School- rJoy;  and,  altho' he  u led  no 
Forms-  in  Secret,  he  compofed  fbmCx  for  his  School- 
lellows&  obliged  them  to- pray. Before  he  couldwrhe 
notes  of  Sermons  in  public  Ailemblies,  he  commonly 
wrote  what  he  remembred  when  he  came  home.  - 
He  read  the  Scriptures  with  fo  much  Ardor  and  Affi- 
duity,  thzt  fifteen  Chapters  a  Day  divided  into  three 
Exercifes,and  nothing  lefs,  would  fufficehim.  —  Ho 
would  moreover  reprove  his  Play-mates  for  their 
wicked  Words  and  Practices, 

2.  As  he  grew  Elder,  he  joined  himfcll  to  a  Society 
ef  Tov.ng  Men  that  met  on  the  Sabbath  Evening  for 
Religious  Ends  and  Purpofes  ;  and  unto  thefe  Meet 
ings  he  afcribed  his/r/?  Rife  and  Improvement  in,  tho 
Art  of  Speakivgj  of  fraying,  &c. 

3.  BY  Reafonoffome  Mifcarriages  into  which  he 
•was  furprizingly  bro't,  he  was  very  Young  put  upon, 
enquiring  into  his  Eftate  ;  whether  he  were  not  an 
Hypocrite,  if  not 'zCaft-divay  ?  He  found  very  frequent 
Returns  of  fl)oubts  and  Fears ;  and  therefore  reiolute- 
ly  and  frequently  renewed  his  Closure 'with  }E5tf» 
CHRiST,as  his  only  jRif/i^*againft  them.  During  r^is 
time,  when  'he  was  languishing  un.ier  the  Srnfe  of  hi-; 
YileneJs,  and  thinking  .with  himfelf,  .  •'«  " 

ffj~c-  pf  of  one  tbi.t  b»s  <l--)>i°  an  I  i>in  a<  f  /M-.V-'  ? '  J  1 1\' 
Curing  this  time,  he  tho^t  it  proper  5o  open  his  Rf:'- 
tn  his,  Father :  Upon  fo  doi:-!»:    his  f  at-htf   toicHiim, 

was  no  Sinner  *repsritin 
CUP,  1ST  ix: ill  acgepf  of*»itfr\  For  (  is;d  lie  / 
jr  c.-nn-  amnfi;r  j\fcn  .  tbcrs  is  a  v'le  Si;tA 
I*  GKil  abhors  bl>n  \  T  t  //t'. 
B  4 


8  tfbe  Life  of 

becomes  a  $e-w  Creature  >  the  fame  good  Perfor^  not- 
withftandinr  hi?  jormer  jfUenefi)  ivi1  1  embrace  him 
and  take  him  to  his  '£ojcm;  and  thh  (continued  he,) 
is  an  Emblem  and  Effect  of  the  Spirit  uj  JESUS.  ---- 
Wonderful  was  the  Quickning  thefe  Words  gave  him: 
They  influenced  his  Addreffes  to  Heavsn.,  in  which 
Jie  then  had  fweet  and  ftrong  Intimations  ot  the  'JJi- 
'uine  Favour. 

4.  WHEN  he  was  fifteen,  he  was  much  affefted  by 
reading  Dr.  HALL'S  Treatifc  of  Meditation  3  with  his 
jPropoials  of  proceeding    Methodically    in  this  great 
tDuty  oj   Christianity.      Upon  this^  He  read  feveral 
ether  Books   upon   that   Subject,  and  made    many 
Effays  at  a  LOMC-I!  and  reguUr  Method  for  daily  Me- 
jiitation,  and  proceeded  fo  far  that  he  wrote  a  Dilcourfe 
iipon  that  buDje^,  which  at  this  tender  Age  found  'a 
good  Confideration  among  feveral  ingenious  Hiends. 
The  Refult  of  all  was^   that  he   finally  pitched  upon 
?#*>  Mt:thod.     The  Meditation  cnnfifted  of  twoParts  : 
In  the  /7>j?,He  proceeded  more  dotffirttlly  ;  to  infirvft 
himfelf  either   with   anfwcring  a  Quefiions  or  J  with 
explaining  a  Scripture,  or  with  confidering  the  Caufest 
tbc  Effe&sl  the  Ad'wntts,  the  ppptfite*  and   Refem- 
l>la,ncei  of  the  Thing  that  was  his  Theme.  —    In  the 
fecon.d  Part  ,  he  proceeded  more  frantically  to  affecl: 

himfelf  in  three  Steps  ;  'firfl,  ah  Examination  of  him 
felf,  »fxr,  an  Expostulation  with  himfelf  ;  and  la/r,  a 
Refplution  in  the  Strength  of  Grace  offered  in  the 
new  Covenant.  This  happy  way  of  preaching  with 
and  unto  limfelfhe  was  acquainted  with  betimes. 

5.  AMD  before  this^  even  tt  fourteen  Years  of  Age., 
lie  began  to  keep    Days    of  Fafting   and    '•Prayer 
alone  in  his  Study  ;  and  in  thofe  Duties  he  made  at  firit 
SCUDPER'S  Chrifiian's  1)ailyWalk  his  Directory;— 
But  of  his  Fafts  ^together  with  his  thanksgiving  ) 
and  his  Devotions  &  Methods  in  them3  1  treat  largely 
in  Chap.  6.  whither  I  refer  my  Reader. 


f. 


Dr,  COTTON  MATHER.  $.-. 

€.  HAVING  pail  his  firir  Sixteen  Years^,  he  was  tho*C 
of  Age  eno?  to  join  to  a  particular  Church  :  He  diet 
fo  then  accordingly,  and  renewed  his  Saptffmal  Vows 
and  Covenant.  By  approaching  to  the  LORD'S  fable , 
he  tho't  himfelf  obliged  to  be  very  particular  in  Setf 
Examination.  I  will  here  tranfcribe  one  [nftance  of 
his  Self- Examination,  which  he  wrote  when  ihort  of 
Seventeen. 

fc  Setting  my  felf  upon  the  Work  of  Sslf- Exami 
nation,  I  rind  '; 

(f  i.  Concerning  rny  Faith. 

cc  I  am  convinced  of  the  utter  Inefficiency  in  my 
cf  own  Rigbteoufnefs  to  procure  my  Salvation.  I  fee 
"  my  own  Rigkteoufnefs  to  be  nothing  in  point  of 
cc  Acceptance  with  GOD.  I  fee  a  woful  Hyfocrify 
"  has  afted  me,  Sluggifine/s  and  Sel/l/fortefe  hath  at- 
((  tended  me,  in  the  very  beft  of  all  my  Services. 

Cf  I  perceive  now  no  other  way  for  my  Salvation, 

but  only  by  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  i  Refuge  fails 
*'  elfe where  on  every  Hand. 

"  I  behold  a  Fulneft&J&  Beauty  in.  JESUSCHRIST^ 
cc  HE  is  worth  loving,  worth  prizing,  worth  follow 
ing. 

cc  Such  is  my  Defoe  to  obtain  an  Intereft  in  HiM5 

and  make  Hi  M  the  only  Portion  and  Support  of  my 

Soul,  that  it  is  one  of  my  greater!  Griefs,  to  find 

my  Heart  fo  dull  in  going  forth  after  HIM. 

(e  2.  Concerning  my  Repentance. 

<<  I  abhor  Sin3  becaufe  it  is  abhorred  by  GOD  and! 

contrary  to  HIM. 

"  SIN  is  my  heavy  Burden  :  'Death  it  felf  would 
"  be  welcome  to  me  to  free  me  from  fuch  a  Burden. 

"  I  am  heartily  troubled  for  the  Sin  in  my  Heart* 
"  and  that  fountain  of  Corruption^  tbe  'Plague  of  my 
f:  Heart  afflicts  me. 

ff  5.  Concerning  my  .Love. 

<e  I  long  to  fee  and  know  the  Favour  of  GO 2) 
is  unto  me;  the  fight  of  *¥bat  would  make  all  my 
<e  Afflictions  light. 

tf  I  defire  to  be  as  active  as  may  be  in  promoting 
es  *he  Honour  of  GOD  j  and  I  feldome  come  into  any 

Jf  Company, 


co 


Life  of 


"  Company,  without  contriving.  Whether  I  may  not 
fc  a&  or  fpcak  fomcthmg  for  That  in  it,  before  I 
ec  leave  it. 

"  I  am  forry,  that  I  love  GOB  no  more. 

fc  The  >aintSj  that  have  the  Image  of  GOD.,  are 
cc  thofe  whom  I  value  moft. 

cc  A  Mean  ijerfon  v-ith  Grace  is  more  amiable  to 
fc  me  th.n  another  who  is  otherwife  never  fo  well 
cc  qualified,  but  Gracetefs  "  —  -  There  are  fome 
other  of  ins  Exami»aticns,  when  in  Toungcr  Years  and 
in  a  Jiw;;ceJ,which  you  will  find  in  the  dthChapter  of 
thjs  Book  :  I  brought  this  one  in  here,  as  a  Specimen 
.of  his  early  benfe  of  Religion. 

7.  ANQTHER  Thing,  in  which  he  demonitrated 
his  -y,rky  'Piety  >  was  his  inceflant  Afpirations  after 
Ufefulnek.  He  was  always  ofMEL  ANCTHON'S  Mind., 
who  faid,Zf  (  who  'will  abound  and  encreafe  inRiches, 
tbey  may  for  all  me  ;  I  look  upon  my  Works  as  my 
I'reafure  \:  He  therefore  fought  ail  Occafions  for 
ftoin<r  Good. 

THE  Maxim  he  went  upon  was  this,  that  a  Power 
and  Opportunity  to  do  Good  not  only  gives  a  Right 
fo  the  tDofog  of  it3  but  alfo  makes  the  iDot-ngofit  a 
Duty  :  A  Maxim  truly  noble  and  divine  both  //;  it 
ftlj3  and  in  its  Effeffs  !  And  it  is  built  upon  thofe 
Words  of  our  blefled  Apoftle,  As  ive  have  Opportu 
nity,  let  us  do  Good  unto  all  Men  *, 

.  HAVING  a  Principle  of  Good-Will  to  Man  deeply 
rooted  in  his  Soul,  he  was  very  foon  and  very  ftrongly 
defirous  that  it  might  grow  and  flourilh,  and  that 
others  might  be  the  better  for  it. 

HE  firft  fet  himfelf  to  contrive  whatGood  he  might 
be  able  to  do  in  his  Father's  Family,  by  inilrudting 
his  Brethren  and  Sifters,  and  by  exhorting  the  Ser 
vants. 

HE  anon  proceeded  to  impoie  it  as  a  Rule  upon 
himfelf,  never  to  come  into  any  Company  where  it 

1-iOptribus  fit  Alundantid  mta  ;  Divifiit  per  me  licet 
velycrit*        *  Gal.  VI,  10, 

mi 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHIR,'  rt 

might  be1  proper  for  him  to  difcourfe,  but  he  would., 
if  poffible,  fo  order  it  that  it  might  be  ferviceable  to 
the  Company  ;  and,,  he  faw  the  Fulfilment  of  that 
Promife,  *J~o  him  that  has  pall  be  given  :  For,  upon 
his  faithful  Improvement  ©f  his  Talents,  He  found 
his  LORD  and  Mafter  went  on  and  multiplied  his  Op~ 
portunities,  untill  he  came  to  ferve  whole  Churches, 
and  Countries. 


FROM  his  own  happy  Experience  therefore,  when 
he  was  advanced  in  Age,  he  would  often  advife  Toung 
Men,  to  contrive  and  Itudy  as  early  as  poffible  to  d& 
Good,  to  love  it  and  to  account  it  a  noble  Thing. 
While  We  and  our  Opportunities  are  but  fmall,  he 
would  have  us  invent  as  many  ways  as  we  can  to  be 
ferviceable  :  He  would  not  have  us  impertinent,  im- 
modcll  or  oftentatious  in  our  EiFays  ;  but.  would  have 
us  with  humility,  and  yet  with  Readinefs,  begin  be~ 
times  with  our  fmall  Stork,  and  expect  that,  before 
we  have  done,  Gon  will  do  great  things  for  us  as 
well  as  by  us.  I  have  made  fame  Digreffion  j  hut  the 
Ufefulnefs  of  it  will  make  Amends  for  it.  I  fhall  have 
£>ccafion  hereafter  more  particularly  to  mention  hi* 
great  Ufefulnefs  and  extenilve  LaborSo 

$.  HE  very  young  tho't  it  his  Duty  to  give  unto  the 
ZO  R2)  of'allfomc  parr  of  the  finalljfubttance  which 
was  afforded  him.  Even  from  14  he  devoted  a  I'cntb 
io  pur  Melcfrf&edsk  ;  anci  trom  his  Childhood  was 
very  gQod,  manly  and  generous. 

I  will  mention  but  two  Lift  ay  res  here  of  his  good 
Spirit  and  Charity  j  (  having  Occafion  e're  long  to 
you  fome  wore  }  yc.u  will  take  them  in  his  awn 


cc  It  may  not  be  amifs  now  and  then  to  mention  a 
ff  Ri'marks.ble  Trcvi'lence,  and  make  fome  Remarks 
*f  on  the  retaliffting  ^DifpevfatioHi  (if  Heaven  towards 
¥  me.  One  thin^,  that  I  will  obferve,  is  what  I  met 
f?  with  in  the  twen+y  V'{f  Year  of  my  Life.  I  can  tell 
*f  that  the  LOR  D  has  moil;  notably  jn  many  InjfetiGnt 

<c  retaliated 


of 

rc  retaliated  my  Dutifulnefs  unto  my  Father.  Some 
ff  of  the  Inftances  which  i  have  taken  Notice  ot  may 
**  feem  trivial.,  but  yet  the  Rett.ti&rion  I  law  in  'em 
*e  gave  them  a  RJiJb. 

tc  As  now,  I  was  Owner  of  a  Watch,  which  I  was 
ec  fond  of  for  the  Variety  of  M^tuns  in  it.  I  Jaw  my 
<f  Father  took  a  Fancy  to  </,  and  L  made  a  i-reicut  of 
cc  «t  unto  him,  with  iome  Tho'ts  that  as  it  was  out  a 
cf  peice  ot  rlue  Gratitude  unto  fuch  a  Parent,  ib  I 
f(  mould  not  go  without  a  Recom  pence.  Quickly 
cc  after  this  there  came  to  me  a  Gentlewoman,  from 
cc  whom  I  had  no  Reafon  to  expect  Co  much  as  a 
cc  Vifit  :  But  in  her  Vifit,  (he,  to  my  Surprize  pray'd 
cc  me  to  accept,  as  a  Prcfcnt  from  rier,  a  Watch 3 
Cf  which  was  indeed  preferible  to  that,  vv  ith  \\  hich  I 
cc  had  parted.  I  refolved  hereupon  to  ftir  up  iJun- 
cc  fttlnefs  unto  'Parents  in  my  (elf  and  others  more 
cc  than  ever. 

cc  At  another  Time ;  I  bought  a  Spanijh  Indian 
w  Servant,  and  beftowed  him  upon  my  tath^^>  Some 
<c  Years  after  this  a  Knight,  whom  1  had  laid1  under 
cc  many  Obligations,  beilewed  a  Spanifo  Indian  btr« 
<f  vant  upon  me.  Many  more  fuch  Things  I  might 
fr  mention  ;  but  I  give  thefe  for  a  lafte. 

SECT.  4.    £tis  Marriages  and  Children,  with  1ri$ 
Mtthods  of  Educating  them. 

»,DEcAu5E  I  chufe  to  finllh  what  I  have  to  write 
concerning  him  (  inter  frivatos  farietes )  in 
his  privatf  Capacity,  1  encline  now  to  brin^  in  this 
St6w»t  and  a  following  one. 

| 

a.  MR.  MATHER   tho't  it   advifeable  in  his  24th 
Year  to  Marry.     He  ftrfl  looked  up  to  Hf>wn   for 
Direction,  and  heard  the  Ccunfel  of  his  Friends 
The  Perfon  he  firft  pitched  upon  was  Mrs.  ASIC 
the  Daughter  vf  the  Honourable  Col    PHILLIP 
Gbarltftown,  to  whom  he  \\as   married,     bhe  wa$  a 
Comely  ingenious  Woman  and  an  sgr.ca.ble  ConCon, 
She  died  in  the  Year  lyoz. 

3.  Uj 


Dr.  CoTfou 

<;.  UPON  her  Death  his  Family  was  in  great  Dark- 
hefs  &  Diiorder  j  which  made  him  continually  look  to 
Hi  M  from  whom  defcsnds  every  good  Gift^o  beat  the 
Breach  GOD  had  made  on  his  Family.    His  Petition^ 
were  abundantly  granted.    GOD  fhowed  him  a  Gen 
tlewoman  a  near  Neighbour;  whofe  Character  \  ftiatt 
give  as  1  have  it  from  thofe  who  intimately  knew  her: 
—  She  was  one,  of  finilhed  '-Piety  and  'Probity,  and 
of  an  unfpotted  Reputation^  one  of  goodfenjfe,  and 
blefs'd  with  a  com  pleat  Ztifcretion  in  ordering  an 
Houfehold ;  one  of  fingular  good-Humour  and  incom 
parable  Sweetnefs  of  Temper;  one,  with  a  veryhand- 
fome  engaging  Countenance-^  and  one  honourably  d?f- 
ccnded&  related;'TwasMrs.ELizABETH  HUBBARD  £ 
who  was  the  Daughter  of  Dr.   JOHN  CLARK.     She 
had  been  a  Widow  jour  Tears,  when   Dr.  MATHER. 
married  her,  which  was  Aug.  18.  1703.     He  rejoiced 
in  her  as  having  great  fpoil,  and  in  finding  \\&c  found 
great  Favour  of  the  L  0  R  2).     They  lived  together 
in  perfect  Concent  and  Harmony  ten  Years  .-  She  died 
Nov,  8.  1715.  with  Willingnefe  ;   the  Fear  of  Death 
was  extinguifhed  iti  her  ;  She  committed  her  felf  into 
the  Hands  of  her  SAVIOUR,  and  in  the  lame  gracious 
Hands  She  left  her  Children  — She  was  much  vehve4 
and  greatly  lamented. 

4.  IN  his  nfty  third  Year,  July   5.    1715.    he  was 
married  to  his  third  Fife.     She  is   the  Daughter  of 
the  renowned  and  very  learned  Mr.    SAMUEL  LEE: 
She  was  the  Widow  of  Mr.  GEORGE,  a  worthy  Mer 
chant,  whenDr.  MATHER  pay'd  his  Kefpects  unto  her 
in  order  to  be  Marry 'd.     Sne  is  a  Lady  of  many  and 
great  Accomplifhments,  and  is  the  jDoffor's  difcon- 
folate  Widow. 

5.  BY  this  laft  Gentlewoman,  he  had  no  IfTue :  by 
the  two  former  Wives  he  had  fifteeny  only  two  of 
which  are  living  ;   one  z.%)au&hter  by  the  firft  Wife; 
the  ether,  a  SON  by  thcfecona',  he  is  the  Writer. 

BY  his  tir/l  Wife  he   had  nine  Children,  of  which 
but  four  arrived  to  Man's  or  Womans  Eftate,  —  The 

firf 


bj.  The  Life  of 

firft  was  named  KATHARIN  ;  a  young  \Vbrnart  of 
good  Wit,  who  underftood  Latin  and  read  Hebrew 
fluently.  She  died  of  a  Confumption.  Nuftiaruw 
topers  1$  adhuc  protervo  —  Cruda  Marito. 

THE  next  was  ABIGAIL  :  She  was  of  a  very  ami 
able  Countenance  and  loving  'Difpofoicn.  She  was 
Married  and  had  four  Children,  t-ivo  of  which  are 
living  :  She  died  with  Compofure  and  Joy,  in  Child- 
Birth. 

THE  third  was  INCREASE;  a  yoting  Man  well 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him,  for  his  Superiour  good 
Nature  and  Manners,  his  elegant  Wit  and  ready  Ex- 
preffioxs,  He  went  to  Sea,  and  in  his  Paflage  front 
Barbados  to  Newfoundland,  was  loft  in  the  Atlantic. 

BY  his  fecond  Wife,  two  Children  only  liv'd  to 
grow  up,  out  ofyfo. 

His  dear  Daughter  ELIZABETH  was  000,  who  was 
Married,  and  in  two  Years  after  died.  She  very  much 
refembkd  her  Mother  in  her  various  Venues. 

6.  1  muft  here  mention  it  for  the  Glory  cfGOZ),  as 
,ycll  as  the  Honour  of  his  Servant,  that  altho*  He 
met  with  fo  many  Bereavements  in  his  Family,  (as 
well  as  Sorrows  on  other  Accounts )  yet  He  never 

fainted  in  the  2)ay  of  Jldverfity  :  He  tho't  his  Sor 
rows  fliould  rather  animate,  than  hinder,  his  nume 
rous  Effays  to  do  Good  :  And  therefore  when  the 
fDcfires  of  his  Eyes  were  taken  away,  and  whenHc 
was  deprived  of  his  Children,  none  of  thcfe  things 
motfd  him  lo  far  as  to  hinder  him  from  hisDuty.  No'  I, 
He  ever  preach'd  after  their  Deaths,  every  one  of 
their  Deaths,  and  printed  the  Sermons,  that  f6 
ethers  might  be  the  better  for  his  Griefs. —  And 
indeed  He  always  counted,  it  was  in  very  Faithful- 
itefs  that  He  <was  afflifted  ;  for  under  every  Calamity, 
He  confidered  how  his  CHRIST  might  be  glorified 
both  by  his  Example  and  by  ufeful  Writings  >  and,  to 
fhort,  under  the  repeated  Rains  of  Advtrfity,  He 
grew  more  and  mvis  fruitful  in  every  gwdWork. 


Dr.  COTTON 

7.  I  will  conclude  Sect.  4.  with  reciting  form 
cial  Rules,  which  He  obferved  in  the  kducat 
bis  Children. 

1.  HE  pour'd  out  continual  Prayers  to  the 
of  all  Grace  for  them,  TKat  HE  would  be  a  Fat 
them,  beftow  His   Son  &  Grace  upon  them.,    [ 
them  by  his   Counfel  and  bring  them  to  Glory.  ~And 
in  this  Action,  He  mentioned  them  diftinftly±  < 
one  by  Name,  to  the  LORD. 

2.  HE  began  betimes  to  entertain  them  wit] 
lightful  Stories,     efpecially  Scriptural  ones  :     And 
he  would  ever  conclude  with   fome  Lejjbn  of  2 
bidding  them  to  learn  that  Lejjbn  from  the  Story. 

AND  thus  every  Day  at  the  Table,  He  ufec  him- 
ielf  to  tell  fome  entertaining  Tale  before  he  role  ^ 
and  endeavor  to  make  it  ufeful  to  the  OttveJPteffts 
about  the  Talk. 

5.  WHE.N    his  Children  accidentally    at  any 
came  in  his  way,  it  was  his  Cuftom   to  let  fall 
Sentence  or  other jthat  might  be  monitory  or  pro  ;      \ 
to  them. 

THIS  Matter  occafloned  Labor,  Study  and  Con 
trivance. 

4.  HE  betimes  try'd  to  engage  his  Children  rr 
crcifes  of  fyiety  ;  and  efpecially  fecret  ^Prayer 
which  he  gave  them  very  plain  and  brief  Dire.' 
and  would  fuggeii  unto  them  the  Petitions  which  he 
would   have  them   make  before  the  LORD, 
which  he  would  therefore  explain  to  their  Apprehen- 
ilon  and  Capacity.     And  he  would  often  call   upon 
Them  ;  Child,  'JDon't  you  forget  every  Z)ay ,  tit  go 
alone  and  gray  as  I  fr'ave  direfied  you. 

5.  HE  betimes  endeavored   to  form  in  his  Chi! 
a  Temper  of  Benignity.    He  would  put  then, 
doing  Services  &  Kindneffes  for  one  another,  a~ 
other  Children.     He  would  applaud  them  when  hs 
law  them  delight  in  it.    He  would  upbraid  all 


tsr  Srtfc  Life  of 

{Ion  to  it.  He  vyould  Caution  them  e^quifitely  againfc 
ill  Revenges  cf  Injuries,  and  would  inftrucl:  their,  to 
return  good  Offices  for  Evil  ones.  He  would  UK  w 
therrij  how  they  would  by  this  Goodncjs  become  Lice 
the  Good  GOD  and  the  bleiled  JESUS.  He  would 
let  them  difcern  he  was  not  latisfied_,  except  when 
they  had  a  Sweetftefs  of  Temper  ihining  in  them. 

6.  As  foon  as  pcfHble.,  he  would  make  the  Children 
learn  to  Write  >  And  when  they  had  the  Ufe  of  the 
Pen,  he  would  employ  them  in  Writing  out  rhe  moil 
inftrudive  and  profitable  Things  he  could  invent  for 
them.     In  this  way  he  propofed   to  fill  their  Minds 
'With  excellent  'Things,  which  he  hop'd  would  maK<t 
a  deep  Impreffion  upon  their  Minds. 

7.  HE  inceflantly  endeavoured^  that  his  Children 
might  betimes  be   acted  by  Principles  of  Reafon  and 
Honour.     * 

HE  would  firft  beget  in  them  an  high  Opinion  of 
their  futkcr3^  Lwe  to  them,  and  of  his  being  beft 
able  t9  judge 3  what  fhall  be  good  for  them. 

THEN  he  would  make  them  fenfible,  it  was  Folly 
for  them  to  pretend  to  any  Wit  or  Will  of  their  own  : 
They  muft  refign  all  to  Him,  who  would  be  fure  t? 
do  u hat  is  beft  ;  his  Word  muft  be  their  Law. 

HE  would  caufe  them  to  underftand,  that  it  is  an 
Joii'-tful  and  (hameful  Thing  to  do  amife.      He   would  • 
aggravate  this  on  all  Occaiions ;  and  let  them  fee  how 
etmitibk  they  will  render  themfelves  by  well-Jcing. 

THE  firfl-  Chafiijemerit  which  he  would  inflicT:  for 
any  ordinary  Fault,  was  to  let  the  Child  fee  and  hear 
loim  in  en  A? cni foment,  and  hardly  able  to  believe 
that  theChild  coyld  do  fo  bafe^  Thing  jbut  believing 
that  they  would  never  do  it  again. 

Ht  would  never  come  to  give  a  Child  a  BIc~jc3 
except  in  cafe  vt  Objlinacy y  or  fomething  that  is  very 
criminal. 

To  be  cfrafed  frr  awhikcutpfhis':Prefencefrt'WQ\i\& 
make  to  be  look'd  upon  as  the  foreft  Puniftiment  in 
fa*  Family, 

7  H* 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHRR.  17 

Ha  would  with  all  poffible  Infinuations  come  upon 
them  to  gain  this  Point,  That  to  learn  all  great 
lyings,  was  the  noblejt  Thin?  in  the  World,  rie  was 
nbt  fond  of  propoimg  'Play  to  them  a's  a  Reward  of 
any  diligent  Application.,  to  learn  what  is  good  ,  leil 
they  mould  think  IHverfion  to  be  a  better  and  nobler 
thing  than  'Diligence.  He  would  have  them  to  pro 
pound  and  expedt  at  this  rate^  I  have  done  well  $  and 
now  I  will  go  to  my  Father,  who  will  teach  me  fime 
thing  curious  for  it.  He  would  have  his  Children 
account  it  ^'Privilege to  be  taught,;  and  would  fome- 
times  manage  the  matter  fo,  that  Rcfufin*  to  teach 
them  (bmething  mould  be  looked  upon  as  a  'Punijb- 
went.  The  Strain  of  his  1'bfeatnings  therefore  was ; 
Tou  pall  not  be  allowed  to  read,  or  to  write,  or  to 
harnfuch'  a  thing3ifyou  do  not  as  I  have  bidden  you. 

THE  Stavijh  way  of  Education,  carried  on  \vith 
Raving  &  Kicking  &  Scourging  (  in  School*  as  well 
as  Families  )  he  looked  upon  as  a  dreadful  Judgment 
of  GOD  on  the  World  •  he  tho't  the  fjPratJice  abomi 
nable,  and  exprefs'd  a  mortal  Averfion  to  it. 

8.  THO'  he  found  a  vaft,  a  wonderful  Advantage 
in  having  his  Children  ftrongly  byaifed  by  the  Prin 
ciples  of  Reafon  &  Honour ;  (  which  he  obferved  that 
Children  will  feel  and  underfland  fooner  than  is  com 
monly  tho't  for ;  )  yet  he  would  not  negleft  any 
Means  and  Endeavours  to  have  higher  'Principles 
infufed  into  them. 

HE  would  therefore  betimes  a\ve  them-  with  the 
fe'nfe  of  the  Eye  of  GO '2)  upon  them  in  the  Ways 
which  they  take. 

HE  would  fhoW  them  how  they  muit  love  otirLord. 
JESUS  CHRIST  ;  and  how  they  muft  dcmonftrate  it, 
by  doing  what  their  Parents  require  of  them. 

HE  would  often  fell  them  of  the 'pood  Angels,  wha 
love  them,  help  them,  guard  them  from  Evil  and  do 
many  good  Offices  for  them  ;  who  likewife  take  a 
very  diligent  Notice  of  therrij  and  ought  not  in  any 
ty  be  difobiiged, 

C  HE 


•  ifc  3*foe  Life  of 

HE  would  not  fay  much  to  them  of  the  evil 
becaufe  he  would  not  have  them  entertain  any  fright 
ful  irancies  about  the  Apparitions  of  jDevils  :  Butyetr 
he  would  briefly  let  them  know,  that  there  arefDew/j, 
who  tempt  them  to  Wickednefs,  who  arc  glad  when 
they  do  wickedly,  and  who  may  get  leave  oi  GOB  to 
lull  them  for  it. 

HEAVEN  and  Hell  he  fet  before  them  clearly 
and  faithfully,  as  the  Confequences  of  their  good  or 
badBehaviour  here. 

9.  WHEN  the  Children  were  caj>'ablfc  of  ity  he 
would  take  them  alone  one  by  one  ;  a&d  after  many 
airectionate,  loving,  ftrong  Changes  unto  them,  to 
fear  G  CD,  to  fcrve  CHRIST  and  flaun  Sin;  he 
would  pray  with  them  in  his  Study.,  and  make  them 
the  Withefles  of  the  Agonies  and  Strong  Cries,  with 
which  he,  on  their  behalf,  addrciled  the  Throne  of 
Grace. 

ic.  HE  found  much  Benefit,  by  a  particular  Me 
thod  as  of  Catecloifing  the  Children,  fo  of  carrying  on 
the  Repetition  of  the  public  Sermons  unto  them. 

THE  Anlwcrs  of  the  Catheckifm  he  would  explain., 
with  Abundance  of  brief  Queftiotfl  which  make  them 
to  take  in  the  whole  meaning  ;  and  he  found  by  this 
Way  tha:  they  did  fo. 

AND  when  the  Sermons  were  to  be  repeated,  he 
chofe  to  put  every  I'ruth  into  a  Qiteflion,  to  be  An- 
iAvered  with  Tes  or  No.  In  this  way  he  would  awaken 
the  Attention  as  well  as  enlighten  the  Underjland- 
ing  of  his  Children.  And  in  this  way  he  would  take 
the  Opportunity  to  ask,  1)0  you  defers  fitch  orfuch  a 
Grace  of  God  t  And  the  like:  And  in  this  way,  he 
had  Opportunity  to  demand,  and  perhaps  to  obtain. 
their  ewA-  and  frequent-fand  why  not  facere?  )  Con- 


unto  the  glorious  Articles  o  the  Ne\v-Covctianrf 
l-!e  tho't  the  Spi-rir  of  Grace  might  fall  upon  them  in 
this  "Action,  and  they  might  be  fciz'd  by  HIM  and  held 
gj  His  Temples  thyo*  Eternal  Ages.  BleikJ  be  GOD 
ic  was  fo  with  ieveral  of  tlic:i% 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER*  19 

THUS  I  have  recited  the  ufual  Methods,  which  Mr. 
MATHER  obferved  in  bringing  up  his  Children: 
There  are  feveral  otherThings  which  were  very  praife 
worthy  in  his  Carriage  towards  Them,,  but  not  of 
that  Confequencc  with  thofe  I  have  written;  and 
therefore  I  (hall  omit  them. 


SECT.  5.  Mifcellaneous  Heads  of  private  Con  duff, 


T.  IT  is  a  faying  of  GER  SON'S,  ®)ui  lene  vivit 
fcmper  orat,  He  that  lives  well,  prays  without  Cea- 
fmg.  Mr.  MATHER  was  one  of  thofe  good  Livers. 
He  prayed  always,  at  leaft,  Six  times  a  2)ay  every. 
Day. 

2.  HE  was  a  Gentleman  of  uncommon  tDityatcfo 
and  Activity,  and  yet  was  ever  upon  good  iDevir.es  ; 
fo  that,  tho'  he  was   conflantly  doing  Service,  he  was 
ever  enquiring  *    Ho-iv  h&  might  do  more  Good  ? 

UPON  DAVID'S  Arm  being  able  to  break  a  Bow 
of  Steel,  AUSTIN'S  Glofs  is,  that  his  Intention  of 
good  ll/brks  was  indefatigable  f.  Altho'  the  literal 
was  not  ;  the  Glofs  was,  fulfilled  or  found  in  Mr.MA* 
THER. 

3.  His  Conversation  he  endeavour'd  to  render  ex 
tremely  entertaining,  and  it  was  fo  ;  for  he  produced 
fuch  a  variety  of  uieful  Difcourfe  as  made  him  welcome 
wherever  there  was  any  Relim  for  Learning,  'Polite- 
itefs  and  Ingenuity.     He  had  the  jfe  m  fcay  quoi  of. 
Conversion  in  Perfefti-on.-     As  for  his  Friends  when 
in  Company  with  him,  when  his  Speech  dropped  up 
on  them,  after  his  Word^  they  f  pake  net  a^ain  ;  they 
w<i  ;.-:,•/  ',  or  him,  as  for  the  Rai»,    and  they  opened 
their    Afout/y  "ddt  as  fcr  the  lifter  Rain  :    If  he 
lau;rb-\J  on  them,  they  believed  it  not.  —  -  And  as  for 
his  B'ismis-:,---  even  they  confcfs'd  his  Excellent  and' 


jftl  aeJens  f,U.um  dnni  au\&  fupere 


•j-  ln!intio_favoiiim  Opcium  in  n  erat  indefat'-g.ii-l'!. 
C  2.  ^>y  of,  tally 


Life  c»f 

profitably  pleafin£  Converfation,  and  irv  Society  with 
him  they  were  filled  with  fiknt  Wonder,  Happy  the 
Cotwerfation,  and  happy  the  fharcrs  in  it  || ! 

I  fhall  here  give  you  the  Rules  he  obferved  in 
Cower/Ing  :  They  may  be  ranked  under  three  Headsj 

Flrft,  HE  would  not  affedl  Loquacity  in  his  Dif- 
courfes,  but,  on  the  contrary,  much  ^Deliberation. 
The  Gravity  and  2)tfcretion,  accompanying  fuch  a 
Caution,  he  beheld  as  of  greater  Coniequence  to  one 
in  all  Companies,  than  the  Reputation  of  IVit,  which 
by  a  greater  fallibility  of  Tongue  might  eafily  be  ac 
quired  :  And  befides  he  remembsed  in  many  Words 
tbere  wants  not  Siit. 

Secondly,  HE  wonl'd  ftudiouily  decline  to  utter 
any  thing,that  he  forefaw  might  be  ufelefs  ;  and  much 
more,  every  Thing  that  might  be  hurtful  zndfinful  to 
te  uttered.  It  was  his  Ambition  every  where  tofpeak 
vfrfully,  and  lay  only  thofe  Things  that  one  or  other 
might  be  the  wife?  or  better  for. 

'Thirdly,  HE  would,  with  all  the  nice  Contr*var:tff 
imaginable,  improve  Opportunities  to  fay  fomething 
or  other,  that  might  particularly  fee  oftfofoeGhries  of 
his  LORD  :  He  would  every  where  contrive,  if  it  were 
poffible,  to  let  fall  feme  Sentence  or  other,  by  which 
high  Tho'ts  of  CHRIST  might  be  raifed  in  thofe  that 
heard  Him. 

4.  THINKING  his  Charitable  ftifbitrfcmenti  may 
moft  fuitably  be  referved  for  the  next  Chapter  ;  I  mail 
only  here  give  you  his  private  Sentiments  of  Chart- 
ta&lexefs  in  his  own  Words ; 

((  I  am  not  unable  with  a  little  Study  to  write  in 
"  feve»  Languages :  I  feaft  my  fclf  with  the  Sweets 


Faiix  Cwverfatio,     in  qva  In'miei  millam  repenant  occ.ijio- 
tisrti,  Jiifi-Jwte  in  leg itimit  DEI,    tiicronym. 

«   of 


<Br. 

&  of  all  the  Sciences  which  .the  more  polite  Part  of 
f>*  Mankind  ordinarily  pretend  unto.  I  am  entertained 
tc  with  all  kinds  of  'Hiftoriss  tncicpt  and  modenj, 
te  I  am  no  ftrauger  to  the  Curioikies,,  which  by  all 
-*'•  forts  of  Learning  are  brought  unto  the  curious. 
*c  Thefe  Jntette  final  Pleafures  arc  far  beyond  any 
"  Senfual  ones.  —  Nevertheless  ^  all  this  afibrds  me 
'"•cot  fo  much  Delight  ask  does,  to  relieve  the  Dif- 
('  trefles  of  any  one  poor  rneai?  miserable  Neighbour  ; 
*c  and  much  more,  to  do  ar?y  extenftvc  Service  for 
'•'  theRedreis  of  tho£:  Epidemical  Miferies  under  -A'hich 
<c  Mankind  in  general  is  langiifiiing,  and  to  advance 
rc  t!ie  KingdoiM  o^  CJOD  in  the  -Woiid—  —  Hi>  pri 
vate  Conckiift  \vas  coiilbnant  with  hi&Seadmeuts. 

5.  IT  w.is  his  watchful  Defire  and  Study^  never  to 
maintain  a  perfonal  Quarrel  with  any  Man  breath 
ing  ;  but  rather  deny  himfelf  ofhis  H^inorjhisEfteciTij 
—  or  any  Thing  in  the  World,  His  Realbr* 
wa:;J.  bccaufc  no  M^-n  -:caqi  manage  a  ferjonal 
•Qvd/'refr  •  -without  lofing  abundance  of  precious 
tftme,  v  bich  may  be  laid  out  infinitely  better  in 
the  Service  of  CH  R  IST  and  his  Church  j  beiides  a  deal 
of  inevitable  Shi,  which  will  infiltrate  k  ielfinto 
every  ^rfxwl  'Qit&ryel&f  which  one's  internal  Peace- 
is  broke*.  And  further,  ilnce  we  have  !>>at  a  Jbwf 
jftme  to  live  in  the  World,He  tho't  it  fbolifh  to  throw 
away  'aay  of  -it  in  Squabbles.  «  •  • 


6.  Co-MSiD^RiMr?  that  for  Men,  even  good  JITeu 
tofpc.  k  Evil-  one  ofanother^  is  a  very  evil  Thing-  ---- 
He  tho't  it  ttould  be  2  confidence  Service  to  ieefc 
the  Suporeiiion  of  that  Vke  or  any  Vergencies  to  vfe 
in  himfjlf.  Wherefore,  ^fter  flights  to  his  Jssvs  for 
Strength  to  Hill  and  *JPerfoy)n3  hema(%theic  i". 
lutions. 

THAT  he  would  never  (peak  falfsly  of  any  Man  ^ 
and  thati-'  ht'fpke  Evil  of  any  Man,  k  fkouldl. 
jfier  theip  Lur.kations  and  Regulations.  QBf&i 

C  3         - 


2t  *fhe  Life  of 

Fir  ft  3  THAT  He  would  keep  a  Chanty  fortkePer- 
Ton  of  whom  he  fpoke,  wilhing  moft  heartily  that 
all  Good  might  be  fpeken  of  him;  and  he  would 
from  Ckarity  {peak  to  thofe  when  with  them  \  ---- 
always  thinking,  Whether  ivhat  he  faid  might  bs 
for  the  Senejit  of  the  Hearers  ? 

Secondly,  IF  Hcfpoke  what  was  Evil  of  any  Per- 
fon,  he  would  carefully  watch  over  his  Heart  ^  that: 
he  did  not  utter  it  wit,''  -Delight  :  Me  would  manage 
it  \vitli  Brevity1  and  Averfion.,  as  a  very  ungrateful 
Subject. 

'Thirdly.,  WHEN  he  muft,  or  was  obliged  to  fpeak 
what  is  £vil  of  any  Man,  if  he  knew  of  'any  Goo£ 
that  could  be  fpokert  of  him,  he  would  befure  to 
balance  the  JEty//  with  the  mention  of  the  Good. 

Fourthly  3  BEFORE  he  would  freak  Evil  of  a  Man^ 
he  would  confider  whether  he  ihould  not  firft  fpeak 
to  him  ;  andj  be  it  how  it  will.,  he  would  ordinarily 
fpeak  nothing,  but  what  he  fhould  chearfully  and 
contentedly  lay  in  the  Hearing  of  the  Man  of  whom 
he  is  talking. 


Fifthly,  HE  would  aggravate  nothing  ;  and  when 
hefpoke  of  an  Evil  would  not  make  it  worie  than  it 
was. 

THESE  Rules  he  confcientioufly  obferved.—  Woulc^ 
to  GoDj  others  werefo  careful  as  to  take  a  due  No 
tice  of  them  ! 

7.  BECAUSE  he  did  not  love  to  be  difturbed  with 

tedious  &  impertinent  Fijiters  ,znd  becaufe  his  Friends 
(  Amid  Tewporis  Fares  )  might  fometimes  itnjeafo- 
vibly  interrupt  him,  he  wrote  over  his  Xiudy  -JJar 
in  Capitals,  BE  SHORT.  And  yet,  let  him  be  e,ve^ 
fo  bufy  when  a  Friend  came  to  lee  him,  he  threw  all 
fry,  He  was  pzrfettly  eafy,  ,with  pleafure  communi 
cated  the  Obfervatioris  he  had  lately  met  with5  and 
was  fo  very  obliging  that,  altho'  his  Friends/,  new  iiii 
hurry  and  great  Bulmefs.,  they  knew  not  how  to  leave 
Him.  "  '  S  Hs 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  ^2 

6.  HE  would  rarely  fee  a  torn  Leaf  of  a  Bible  in 
the  Street,  but  would  take  it  up  with  fome  particular 
Mark  of  Kefpeft  ;  not  knowing  but  he  might  rind 
'  Admonition.  This  he  found  a  very  fro- 


9.  WHEN  he  rode  abroad,Hp  would  raoft  commonly 
take  fome  young  Gentleman  with  hiirf,with  whom  he 
*us'd  to  fray  in  private  at  their  Lodging  in  Inns  and 

Gentlemen's  Hou{es,and  unto  whom  he  would  ende^ 
vour  i-n  all  polfible  ways  to  recommend  Religion  with 
the  Tweet  and  eafy  .,  but  ftrong  Charms  sif  it. 

10.  WHEN  he  went  into  any  confiderable  Towns, 
he  would  for  the  moft  part  beg  cPlay  -¥)(!$*   for  the 
.Boys;  and  }    as  a  Condition  for  their  being  excufed 
from  School,  he  would  enjoyn  fome  Religious  fj.ik 
•  upon  them. 


i  r.  IF  he  heard  that  anyPerfon  had  done  him 
in  Ward  or  Deed,  he  would  Ibidem  let  him  know  that 
jhe  had  any  Knowlege  of  it.  The  beft  Way  he  tho't 
\\astoforgive  the.  wrong  and  bury  it  in  Silence.  For 
.bolides  the  Confederation  due  to  the  internal  Advan 
tage  reaped,  by  fuch  Chriftianity,  there  is  jb'n  to  be 
conlidered  ;  Sucin-ki  the  Malignity  in  the  moft  of  Men, 
that  they  will  hate  you  only  becaufe  they  know  they 
have  ivr»K*E'J  you..  They  will,  as  far  as  they  can, 
jttftijy  the  wrong  they  have  done  you  ;  and  becaufe 
they  imagine  you  owe  them  a  like  wen*,  they  \\ill 
boar  a  confirmed  <5p/;<?  to  you..  ,liut  he  found  the  boil 
way  was  -'parience  &.  Silence  ;  the  Conference  of 
which  has  been,  thofe  \\  ho  ^inro^cJ  hi;n  becaiuc;  his 
Ve,'t.  Friers  afterwards.  ,  .  ,  .  ,.  , 

12.  I  was  going  to  relate  fome  other  Rules  ofTrar- 

Tlie,.  &fPru3£BctfZ&d  alto  to  tell  the  Methods  wlifch 

a  •  kept  to,    to  prejerve   Health.     But  I  rc.-:ne:iii--c.T 

ias  dcdiibed  his  i;-ra^ice  in  thofe  /?///'/  an  i     I/  - 

Is  \vh;:h  he  has  mentioned  at  the  Hud  </f  !>is  \\\- 

.   V  C  T  I  O   A  B  M  I  N  1  T  S  K  R.  I  U  M  ,t  O   v\  U  1  C  h  1  VC  L  r  ',    >  U 


if  Tfo  Lift  of 

1 5.  I  will  conclude  this  Section  and  Chapter  with 
an  Account  of  tixo  Books  in  which  he  was  writing 
conllantly. 

THE  iirft  was  his  Quotidiana  (  as  he  call'd  it  )  or 
Common-'PlaceBook;  in  which  he  wrote  along  the 
remarkable  Paffages  in  any  Author  as  he  read  him  ; 
but  for  fear  he  Ihould  be  at  alofs  in  finding  any  Paf- 
fage,  entred  as  he  found  it.,  he  therefore  number'd 
every  Quotation,  and  at  the  End  of  his  Book  had  an 
Ind-t*  of  Names,  things,  &c.  fo  that  he  could 
prefently  have  Recourfe  to  the  Sentences  h.e  wanted. 

THE  other  Book  was  his  tDiary  ;  in  which  he 
kept  an  Account  of  the  moil  confiderable  Articles  in 
which  he  had  done  his  Duty,  as  well  as  thofe  in 
which  He  had  been  deficient. 

THERE  was  a  German  one  SEBASTIAN  HEINRIC, 
who,  not  many  Years  ago,  publifhed  for  the  Courfe 
of  one  fear  whatever  he  did,  read  vrfa-iv  for  that 
Year. 

MR.  MATHER'S  tDiary  was  not  fuch  a  Medley  : 
No  /  There  was  none  but  important  Matters  entred 
into  it.  I  will  only  take  Notice  of  what  I  have  col 
lected  in  obferving  one  l^ay,  and  one  Tear  of  it. 

I  find  in  one  of  his  Diaries, an  Account  of  theTranf- 
io-s  of  one  'Day  as  follows,     c  This  Day  I  per- 
io   ,,euthe  Duties  of  my  general  Calling,  inftrutled 
the  Scholars  under  my  Charge,,  underwent  the  Di- 
r  verfion  of  Meals  and  Company,  with  whom  I  was  a 
c  confiderable  while   ;    I  made  a  long  Sermon  and 

*  pi-sacked  it ;    I  fpent  more  than  a  little  Time  at 

*  the  private  Meeting,  where  I  preached,    and  read 
f  over  KNOX'S  Hijlorical  Relation  of  the  JJland  of 
c  Ceylon. 

IN  the  Obfervation  of  one  whole  Year  of  his  Diary 
I  took  Notice  of  it, — 

THAT  he  had  preached  above  feventy  two  pub  lick 
Sermons,  and  many  private  ones;  perhaps  near  half 
"as  many. 


Dr.  COYTONI 

THAT  not  one  'Day  pa  (fed  without  fome  Contri- 
-vance  ro  do  Good  "invented  and  regiftred  ;  befides,  I 
ibppofe,  many  /^wr  entred  his  Memorials. 

THAT  no  one  %)ay  had  pafled  without  being  able 
to  fay  at  Night,  that  feme  of  his  Revenues,  tho* 
//,  had  been  dealt  out  to  pious  Ufes. 

THAT  he  had  prepared  and  publiped  about  four 
teen  Books. 

THAT  he  had  kept  faty  Fajls  and  t'vcnfv  t'i'o 
Vigils. 

A  vaft Variety  of  otherThings  I  find  record  ed,\vhich 

il  (hall  omit :  f  bring  this  only  as  a  Specimen  of 
his  2)itvy}  how  k  was  replenilhed  and  what  Pains  hf 
took  not  to  fpend  his  Life  in  vain. 

^-.H-LI  •-«•—       •       •  ^ 

BUT  notwithfb.nding  He  took,  fuch  Care  o'r 
(pending  his  Time ;  yet,  I  often  in  his  Books  find 
him  complaining  of  his  <Dejttiehcies3.3te.  Hisfirft 
Years,  He  calls,  'Time  jo  m  if  pent  as  TO  render  it  un 
worthy  to  be  called  a  Life;  after  he  was  grown  in 
YearSp  he  chofe  rattier  to  fay,  fuch  a  Tear  of  Ihjl^r. 
than  his  Life  :  On  .one  of  his  Books  I  read,  iuch  a 
Tear  of  a  forfeited  Life;  on  another  Year,  of  "  my 
finning  againft  my  precious  REDEEMER  "  :  On  ano 
ther,  Cf  Alas  of  my  Unfruitfulneft  "  /  On  a  fourth, 
Cf  A  Tear  fivecVd  away  in  Sin  and  Sloth  ".  So 
that  it  might  be  (aid  of  Him,  as  was  faid  of  one  thai 
was  very  exact  in  bis  Walk,  that  his  Life  was  perpc- 
t'.ia,  Cenfura,  a  continual  Cenlure  of  himfelf. 

ALTHO'  he  thus  complains  of  himfelf ;  it  would 
'be  happy  for  the  gresttejt  'Part  of  the  World,  if  they 
could  give  fb  good  an  Account  of  their  Time  and 
their  Talents.  BleJJed  is  fuch  a  wife  and  faithful 
Servant,  who  when  his  LOR  D  cornetb,  is  found  fb 
doing, 

I  might  under  this  Chapter  have  given  you  a  large 
Account  of  his  Fafts>  &c.  (  which  belong  to  his  pri 
vate  Character  and  Conduft  )  but  I  had  rather  re- 
(erve  them,  until  the  <?th  Chapter  obliges  me  to  pro- 
thejn. 

CHAP. 


C   H    A   P.       JI. 

^f/>  putlif  Appearances  and  fignal  Servwft  5 
/»  /fe  Mimftry,  and.  in  Concerns  abfirafted 
from  it. 

SECT,  i-  Jjf/5  Mixiftry,  'Preparation  for  it,  Hin 
drances  if  it,  Introdu&ionintoitj  and  Method; 
in  it,  &e. 

i.  rTpHERE  was  one  Thing,  which,  from  his  Cra- 
J.  ...die,  feem'd  to  hive  a  dark  and  fad'  Afpeft 
upon  his  Ufdfulnefs,  and  that  was  «n  uncommon  Im 
pediment  -in  tih  Speech.  "Several  gre>t  Men  were 
Stammerers  before  him.,  as  a  MOSES,,  a  PAJ?I/,  a  VJR- 
CIL,  and  a  BOYLE  ;  and  perhaps  fuch  great  and 
good  Companions  in  Adverfity  might  render  it  leis 

tedious  and  more  tolerable.  • 

f        i 

2.  WHILE  he  was  fv!I  of  Concern  for  Relief  from 
this  troublelbme  Iniirn  v^  chat  good  old  School- 
mafter  Mr.  COR  LET  gave  him  a  Vifit  onpurpofeto 
advife  Him  ;  Sir3  faid  he5  I  Jhould  <be  %laJ  if  you 
would  oblige  yow  felf  to  a  dilated  Deliberation  in 
fpeaktng  ;  for  as  in  Singing  there  is  no  one  who  Stam- 
merSj  fo  by  prolonging  your  Pronunciation  you  -ixill 
get  an  Habit  of  freaking  without 


»  q.  HERE  I  muft  inform  my  Reader,  that  becaufe 
of  his  Stammering,  he  had  almoft,  for  fome  Time3 
laid  aiide  the  Tho'ts  of  being  a  Minifter*  and  had' 
with  great  Application  ftudied  'Phyfe  :  But,  upon 
profecuting  Mr.  COP.  .LET'S  Advice,  and  having  pro 
cured  with  Divine  Help  an  happy  3jvlti::ry,  .he  wss 
j}crfwaded  by  hisFriends  to  defert  theCalling  of  2fPby-^ 
Jician  ;  He  didfo  :  And  after  having  ftudied  tfbtok&y 
rationally  and  without  Prejudice,  he  prepared  for 
public  Appearance  :  And  becaufe  of  the  Calling  he 
had  relinquished,  he  did  in  his  firit  Sermon  coiihder 
our  blefled  SAVIOUR  as  the  glorious  'Pbvfiria'n  ej[ 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER  •2.7 

Souls;  chufing  thole  words  for  his  Urit  Text  in  Luke 
JV.iS.  He  hath  feat  me  to  heal  tby  broken-hearted. 

4.  SERRARIUS  thought,  that  none  were  called 
Rabbins  t  but  fuch  as  were  advanced  in  Years  and 
jud  received  Impofition  of  Hands  and  taught  fome 
Scholars.  But  altho'  he  was  well  read  in  this  Sub- 
jeft",  Mr.  BASNA«E  fays,  he  was  milUker-  ;  for 
NACHMANIDES  was  ftiied  Rulbi  at  cirj:t'.en  Years 
old,  becaufe  he  diftinguifhed  himfelf  at  thiJ  green 
Age,  and  began  to  teach. 

Mr.  MATHER  deferved  the  Title  of  R  abbi  at  the 
the  fame  Age  ;  for  he  then  diftinguiihed  himfclf  and 
began  to  teach  :  For  on  Aug.  2.2.  1680.  K<- 
preached  for  his  Grand-far  her  ?.t  Z)orcfrej}fr,thc  Sao- 
bath  after  for  his  Father  at  VAj/.-'o/?,  and  the  SaSbaith 
fucceeding  was  in  his  other  Grand-father's  Dcik  at 
•'Hofton: 

5.  THE  NORTH  CHURCH  at  Soften  having 
after  Time  taken  notice  of  1  us  ^rcat  Gijts&  A^; 
on  February  z$d,  i^Sc.  gave  inttyaMJnwUs  Invicatmii 
to  him,  to  be  an  -4ffi.il ant   to  his  Father,    and  ; 
him  encouraging  Otters  for  his  Support. 

(>.  AFTER  this,  they  had  further  Experience  ofhis 
NinHierial  .Quatii-cction; ,  and  on  Tan.  X.  lo^..  wja- 

J  1        /•     !•"  l-n  -"si 

tijmoully  chofe  him  tor  their  'Pajivr.,  and  ddfired  hi^ 
Qrdination  as  fuch  over  them.  He  {"or  foir.c  Tiaie 
•declined  any  Compliance  wit h  their  repeated Grtk;,* 
partly  becaufe  they  were  not  in  extreme  Jtfsztfz  ha 
ving  his  Father  with  them,  who  was  hearty  &ibroag; 
fnd  partly  from  zmoJefi  Opinion,  and  low  Appre1- 
henhon  of  himfelf  and  his  Talents.  CnaYsctsxo:^ 
fays,  that  when  he  read  that  Text,  Heb.  xui.;i> 
'JChcy  li-afcb  jor  your  Souls,  as  tbey  that  mstjf  give 
Account  —  the  words  cauied  an  Earthquake  ^hMtt 
Joim}  and  produced  an  holy  frernblix^  in  li*  S&ul.  —*• 
The  fame  words,  with  continued  Reflections  on  them, 
r/ade  him  fear  and  quake  facce4i#g(y\  about  catring 
.•>  -f acred  Orskrs. 

. 


iS  &je  Life  of 

7.  NEVERTHELESS,  atlaft,  he  was  prevaiied  with 
to  accept  the  facred  Burden  ;  (  Onus  Angelicis  Hume? 
9isfcffftiJa#Jum  !  )  and  he  was  ordained  May  ijth, 
1684  ;  when  Mr,  ALLEN,  Mr.  WILLARD  and  his 
POTHER,  imfofed  Hands  on  him  ;  with  the  gocci 
Apoitolical  ELIOT,  who  gave  him  the  Right  O,MM 
of  Felkivjhip.—  A  truly  primitive  Ordination  !  which 
he  never  once  fn  Jais  Lii^  fcrupled  the  Validity  of  i 
After  a  curious  Examination  of  moft  of  the  Fathers 
in  the  three  firft  Centuries,  he  was  verily  perlwadeci 
that  ewry  o^e  of  them  had  been  -perverted-  and  abu- 
ied  by  defigmng  Men  to  ferve  their  own  Ends,  elpe- 
cially  in  the  Intfance  oi  Ordination  ;  And  yet  grant 
ing  that  not  one  of  them  had  been  debauched  ^and  all 
of  them  were  unanimous  for  Eptfcop.iil  (  wDioccfan  •) 
Ordination  ;  I  fay  granting  this;  yet  he  firmly  be 
lieved  that  fatferiptural  Ordination  (  excepting  the 
extr  •&9rdina,ry  Part  ).  werefuch  as  his  own;  and  ever 
looked  upon  the  Choice  of  the  'People  as  agreable  to 
the  Rights  of  Mankind  in  general,  of  a  Church  in 
particular,  confonant  with  the  facred  Scriptures,  and 
tho't  no  Ordination  regular  >  unlefe  Eletfion  of  the 
'People  preceded  it.  I  write  not  here  my  own  Senti 
ments  (  I  dare  not  pretend  to  write  them.,  )  but  the 


8.  I  fhall  here  tranfcribe  fome  Paflages  I  find  in 
his  'Diary,  relating  to  the  Cure  of  'Pride,  a 
Sin,  which  all.  are  {iibject  unto^and  more  eipecially 
JMimjlers,  and  which  ought  with  Care  and  all  Dili 
gence  to  be  avoided. 

THE  apprehenfion  of  the  curfed  PRJDI  (the 
?c  Sin  of  young  Minifters  )  working  in  my  Heart, 
"  fill'd  me  with  inexpreffible  Bitternefs  and  Confu- 
<c  fion  before  the  LOR  B.  .In  my  ••  early  Yotttb,  even 
cc  when  others  of  my  Age  are  playing  in-the  Streets  ., 
fc  I  preached  unto  very.  great  AfTemblics,  and  found 
*f  ftrange  Reipecls  among  the  People  of  Goo.  I 
"  fear'd  {  and  Thanks  be  to  GOD,  -that  He  ever 
tf  ftru^k  me  with  fuch  a  Fear  <  )  left  a  Snare  ,  and 
*f  a  fPit  were  by  Satan  prepared,  {pr  fuch  a  Novice. 


Dr.  CCTHOW  MATH!R. 

cr  I  refolved  therefore  that  I  would /£*  apart  a 
<c  to  bumble  ray  felf  before  GOD  for  the  PR  IDE -of 
<f  n>y  own  Heart,  and  entreat  that  by  Hrs  Grace  I 
<f  may  be  delivered  from  that  Sin  and  from  all  the 
<c  dreadful  Wrath,  to  which  I  may  be  bv  that  Sin 
c<  expofed.  I  did  fo  •  And  on  this  Day  I  examined 
<rc  my  felf  by  the  Difcoveries  ot  'Pride^  which  I  found 
ff  given  in  fome  judicious  Difcourfes  on  that  Subject. 
fc  But  Ifoundelpeciallytwo  RefpedtSjinwhichlfear'd 
<*  I  was  guilty  before  GOD. 

-  <f  Fir  fly  MY  Applauding  of  my  kK'm  myTho'ts, 
<f  when  I  have  done  any  thing  at  all  fignificant  ; 
ff  pr  ay' dm  preach3  d  with  Enlargements;  anfwered  a 
<f  Queftionreadily>prefcntly,fukably.  Troud'fbot'* 
'**  I  law  fly-blow'd  my  bed  Performances. 

ce  Nexf,  M Y  ambitious  Affeclation  of  Tre-eminence 
fc  far  above  what  could  belong  to  my  Age  or  worth, 
fc  and  above  others  that  were  far  more  deferving  than 
<c  my  felf. 

fc  FOR  my  Humiliation  I  then  wrote  thelc  Confi- 
'<f  derations: 

c  i.  WHAT  is  'Pride  but  the  very  Image  of  Satan 

*  on  the  Soul?     The  more  any  Man  has  of  CHRIST 

*  in  him,  the  more  bumble  will  he  be.,  more  low  and 
'  vile  in  his  own  Eyes  and  more  empty  of  himfelf. 
f  When  GOD   renews   His  Imagp  in    us,    He  fulls 
c  down  (ur  proud  I'bot's.     "Tis  true>    'Pride  is  a, 

*  moft  natural  Sin  •  but  Grace  would  overcome  that 
f  in  a  moft  fpecial  Manner  and  Mealure.     And  then 
c  how  little  Grace  have  I?     How  unlike  HIM,  that 
'  could  fay,  7  am  kivly  ?    Let  me  for  this  Caufc,  ab- 
c  bor  my  filfin  2)uft  and  Jlftcs  I 

5  2,  Do  I  not  by  <Pride  offend  GOD  ?  It  is  a 
c  Breach  of  His  boly  Command  and  He  often  de- 
c  clares  His  Abhorrence  of  it.  His  holy  SPIRIT 
f  is  grieved  by  it :  And  how  vehemently  does  the 
r  Scripture  caution  againft  all  Tendencies  unto  it? 

*  Shall  I  bear  to  think  of  offending  that  GOD  who 

e  has 


*  7%?  Life  of 

t  has  been  a  Father  to  me,  and  whom  I  have  choferi 
and  vow'd  to  love  and  ierve  as  my  GOD  and  Fa 
ther  ?  Or  that  SP  i  R  i  T  j  upon  the  fweet  Influences 
of  which  my  Soul  does  live.,  Sealed  unto  the'JJay 
of  Redemption. 

f  3.  Is  not  Tridc  a  moft  unreafonable  Polly  and 
Madneft  in  me  ?  Have  I  any  juft  Occaiion  for 
glorying  in  my  felfl  Do  I  any  Thing  Jingular? 
Am  not  I  in  moil  Attainments  exceeded  by  mojl  of 
my  Calling  and  Standing  ?  But,  Oh,  let  this  be 
a  Dagger  to  my  Heart  !  Hare  I  not  a  curfed  Na 
ture  in  me  ?  And  hath  not  the  LORD  heretofore 
left  me  unto  feme  Follies,  thefenfe  of  which  ihould 
make  me  ivalkfoftly  all  my  jDayst  LORD,  7  am 
viler  than  a  Seafl  before  I'kee  \  Or,  why  fhould  I 
feek  lionor,  "If'isfiotfeemlyforfachaFoal.  Am 
I  fit  for  Service?  Or  am  I  not  rather  wifavory  Salt** 
fit  for  Nothing  but  the  Dunghil  ?  What  am. I  bet- 
ter  than  the  leaftof  all  Saints  ?  If  in  any  external 
Grandeurs  I  get  above  any  of  them,  I  am  by  them 
the  more  obnoxious"  to  Temptation  and  Sin  and 
Wrath.  Ly  tken  in  the  tDuft,  O  my  Soulj  before 
GO'D, 

c  4.  Ho\y  dangerous,  now  deftrti&ive  an  Evil  is 
this  Wride  ?  I  provoke  the  GOD  of  Heaven,  to 
take  away  every  one  of  thofe  Idols,  which  in  my 
fond  'Pride ,  ,1  dote  upon  ;  and  if  the  L6RD  fhouldt 
now  deprive  me  of  my  Capacities  &  Opportunities, 
where  am  I  but  in  an  horrible  Pit  of  Sorrows  and 
Miferies  ?  And  let  me  remember,  Vride  will 
fooner  than  any  Thing  drive  away  the  goodSpi- 
R  i  T  of  GOD  from  the  Heart  of  a  poor  Creature 
And  if  that  fhould  be  my  Fate,  —  LOR2),&*ve 
Merry  en  mo !---  Whnt  a  Monument  lhall  I  be  of 
thy  direful  Vengeance  ?  O  that  the  LOR.P  would 
fethome  thefe  Tho'ts  for  my  Humiliation ! 

c  BUT  what  ftal!  I  do  for  the  Cure  of  thi*  Di- 
feafc  ? 


Dr.  COTTON  MAI-HE^  jt 

,  *  IN  the  firjt  md  chief  place;  I  would  carry  my 
r  diftemper'd  Heart  unto  the  LORD   JESUS,  and  put 

*  it  into  the  Hands  of  that  alfu&cknt  <Pbyficia»  for 

*  HIM  to  cure  it. 

c  Secondly,  I  would  be  daily  watchful  againft  my 

*  'Pride,  &  continually  keep  an  Eye  upon  my  Heart, 

*  and  check  the  leafi  'Begi »ui»gs  and  Jirfi  Motions  of 
c-this  Corruption. 

f  Thirdly,  I  would  ftady  much  the  Nature,  the 
c  Work  z\\A Aggravations  tft\\\s Evil,  and  the  Excel- 
e  ieocy  of  the  Grace  contrary  unto  it. 

c  IN  one  of  my  Supplications  this  Day,  I  thasex- 

*  prefs'dmyfelf  ; 

"  LORD,  What  fcall  I  do  for  the  Cure  of  this 
Difeafe  my  <Pride  ?  Blefled  be  thy  Name,  Thou 
haft  (hewed  me  a  Way,  "and  bid  me  walk  in  it. 
Have  I  not  heard  Thee  faying  to  my  fmful,  (tttitg 

f  and /o;o/#   Soul,   Look  unto   ME  and  be  javed  ! 

c  And  therefore  by  thy  Grace  I  will  do  it.     I  have 

*  done  it  anc!  have  found,  and  to  this  Day  find ,  the 
'•  Benefit  of  it.     \Vhy  is  it  that  I  am  not  infeniibly  and 
c  incurably  forever  carried  away  Caftive  by  theZuft 
c  with'  which  I  am  now  warring  ?     'Tis  becaufe  f 
f  had  put  my  Heart  into  the  Hands  of  the  faithful 
r  JESUS,  and  He  it  is  that  hath  not  fuffered  me 

to  go  on  unconcerned  about  the  Diiiemper  of  my 

Soul,  but  hath  awakened  me  to  feck  Relief  at  His 

r  Hands,   as  I  do  this    Day. —  And  now  LORD,  I 

c  come  to  HIM.     He  fees  how  I  *m labouring  and 

f  heavy  laden,  but  He  has  bid  me  come.    Does  He 

c  not  call  for  my  Heart  ?     But  what  kind  of  Heart  >. 

It  is  not  mention'd  •  but  I  am  fure  it  is  my  Heart; 

*  that  is    called   for.     Hence  tho'  my   Heart   be   a 
fraud  He  art, yet  as  long  as  'tis  mine,  I  am  to  bring 

And,  O  Loan,    I  bring  it  bccayfe  it  is  proiuL 

>ut  wherefore  doth  He  calffor  it  ?    Is  it  not  that 

:   may  fee    up   His  Kin^hw   in  it,  fill  it  with 

•us  Graces,    and  manifeft  the  power  of  His    rMi 

.•oodne*s  in  it  forever  ?     Then  let  Him  take    my 

'\m  and  make  it  bumble  \    It  is  eafy  with  Him 

«  to 


j*  The  Life  cf 

"  to  do  it.    Tbo'  I  cannot  overcome  this  friJc,,  He 
rc  can  :    Oh,  La  Him  do  'it,  I  wait  upon  Him  for 
<e  it  ;  I  b'elieve  and  am  fatisfied  that  He  will  do  it  >-- 
e-  I  have   not  fought  k/"  HT  Face  in  -vain.  " 

THESE  PaiTages  were  wrote  prefently  after  Mr. 
MATHER  was  ietlcd  in  the  Miniftry,  and  therefore 
I  bring  them  in  here.  ThcSettion  is  indeed  long  ;  but, 
as  1  blefs  GOD,  it  has  been  very  profitable  to  Me,  I 
hope  It  will  be  acceptable  to  tke'fious  Readers,  efpe- 
cially  of  the  farted  Order. 

9.  I  forgot  to  inform  my  Reader,  That  Mr.  MA 
THER  before  He  was  Setled,  kept  many  Days  of 
Fafling  and  ^Prayer  in  order  to  it.  And  in  one  of 
thofe  Days,  having  declared  unto  GOD,  That  not 
expecting  any  temporal  Advantage,  but  rather  Sor 
row  and  Sicknefsy  tybloquy  and  many  'Perfections, 
lie  would  out  of  Love  to  HIM,  undertake  the  Work 
before  Him,  feed  a  precious  and  numerous  Flock  of 
His  :  He  then  promifed  thefe  Things  to  his  LORD  ; 

THAT  He  would  endeavour  to  be  a  'faithful  Raf 
ter  unto  thofe  over  whom  he  fhould  be  placed. 

THAT  He  would  endeavour  to  be  humble  under 
whatever  Enlargements  fhould  be  vouchfafed  unto 
him. 

THAT  if  GOD  fhould  give  him  to  build  up  Hi &^ 
Church  with  an  unfpotted  Reputation,  he  would 
endeavor  to  be  contented  with  whatever  State  mould 
be  ordered  for  him  in  the  World,  tho'  never  fo  'Poor 
and  many  other  ways  affli&ed. 

10.  HE  was  confront  and  unwearied  in  his  public 
Minijlry3  when  he  was  entred  into  it. —  Sometimes. 
he  has  preached  a  Sermon  for  eleven jDays  fuccelfively. 
I  need  not  at  large  write  the  Subjects  of  his  tDifcour- 
fes,  his  Method  of  Studying  &  breaching,  fince  he 
has  given  fo  true  a  Defcription  of  them  in  his  Manu- 
ad  Mivifafiw,  Page  9?, to  y8  &  10*.,  to  105* 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER!  ^ 

IT.  BUT  however  I  will  give  my  Reader  his  Rule's, 
vfPreaching,  fmce  they  are  fhort,  fmce  they  were 
fcho't  upon  when  He  was  Young,  others  may  be  thd 
better  tor  them,  aid  fmce  this  Book  may  come  into 
their  Hands  who  have  not  feen  the  Doctor's  Manu- 
dit&io. 

Firft,  WHEN  he  was  at  a  lofs  for  a  Tektj  he  would 
make  a  Prayer  to  the  Holy  SPIRIT  of  CHRIST  foe 
His  Direction  and  Affiftance,  as  well  to  find  a  Text 
lor  him,  as  to  handle  it. 

Secondly,  BEFORE  he  would  undertake  to  go  oVcr 
any  larger  'Portion  or  Itoflrine  of  the  Bible,  which 
might  require  many  Sermons,  he  would  with  more 
Solemn  Supplications  addrefs  Heaven  for  necefTary 
Succours. 

thirdly 3  HE  would  weigh  well  the  Original 
I'on  trues,  as  well  as  the  ufual  and  needful  Commenta 
ries,  for  a  Scripture  before  he  would  preach  up§n  it. 

Fourthly ,  IN  pitching  on  Subjects  to  be  dilcourfed 
in  his  public  Miniftry,  especially  more  occcji?;^:l  ones, 
(for  which  he  would  referve  himfelf  a  Liberty  in  what 
Courfe  foever  he  was)  He  would  ever  have  fome 
1)efign  of  fuiting  and  ferving  the  Edification  of  th^ 
Hearers ;  —  ever  -—  preach  upon  llefign. 

Fifthly j  Hfe  would  T&tjlatrflonz  upon  one  Text 
ordinarily,  but  fludy  an  acceptable  fr.rirty:  No;^ 
would  he  ufeone  way  of  treating  every  ifcxr,  but  b^ 
various  in  his  Methods. 

Sixthly,  HE  would  be  Scriptural  in  all  his  Exer- 
cifes  •  and  ordinarily  diimifs  no  Head,  wiriiout  foni^ 
place  of  Scripture  well  adjulted  to  it. 

Seventhly,  HE  would  always  endeavour  to  fill  '&/? 
JJ'ur  ivdl  (  and  he  did  fo.)  and  croud  every  Sermori 
as  full  of  Matter  as  porfible  without  Obfcurity, 

Eighthly,  IN  uttering  his  Sermons  he  was  not  foi' 
beginning  too  f aft  or  too  loud. 

Ninthly,  HE  did  not  make  his  5e;!teHC<>sor  Periods 
too  extended  for  the  JThV  to  take  them  readily, 
or  for  the  tfexrers  readily  and  eafily  to  have  the  lent  ^ 
of  them, 

D  Tent  11 


tife  'of 

^  BEFORE  he  preach'd  any  Sermon  he  wsf 
defirous  in  a  devout  Meditation  to  work  every  Head 
of  it  upon  his  Heart,  until  he  turned  it  into  a  proper 
Supplication.  , 

Elsvsnthly>  HE  would  have  and  nfe  Notes  in 
Preaching ;  but  yet  would  not  fo  read  his  Notes,  as 
in  the  leaft  to  take  off  the  Vivacity  of  his  Eye,  his 
Voice 3  his  whole  Action. 

Iwclfthly,  HE  would  have  much  of  CHRIST 'in 
his  Minijtry  ;  (  CHB.IST  who  is  AU\  )  As  knowing 
that  the  Holy  SPIRIT  loves  to  glorify  CHRIST  ;  and 
if  he  did  fo  too>  he  fhould  have  much  of  the  HOLY 
SPIRIT  with  him  in  his  Miniftry. 

'Tbirteenthly,  AND  he  was  refolved  to  have  great 
Gare  in  his  Mininry.,  left  at  all  he  fliould  confound 
the  Methods  of  GRACE',  upon  a  due  Stating  and 
Owning  of  which  th€  Succeis  of  the  Miniftry  does  ex 
ceedingly  depend. 

Fourteenthly 3  HE  ordinarily  would  conclude  his 
Sermons  with  fome  agreeable  Text  of  Scripture^  left 
•with  Life  and  Pungency  to  the  Confideration  of  the 
Hearers ;  He  tko't  the  Practice  edifying. 

iz.  IN  this  Se&ion  I  fri all  produce  feveral  Tiefigni 
cfChriftianlty,  which  he  formed  after  his  In-vefliture' 
in  the  Sacred  Calling. 

Firjl,  THE  Apofile's  Advice  to  a  YoungMiniiler, 
JEx^rc'fe  tbyfclfto  GoJlinefs ;  he  would  think  much 
upon  it,  read  over  fome  Difcourfes  on  the  Subject ,  and 
as  he  went  along,  employ  his  particular  Ejaculations 
upon  every  Article. 

Secondly 3  HAVING  met  with  on  ( 
the  want  cf  Mortification  in  a  At 
tfyfuaefefulmfi   to  Jus  Mintfry  ,  and  chat;   Tie  i 
not  r-  j  a  deplorable  Inftance  of 
diati  ly  to  read  over  Dr  .OwEflYTreatife  of  . 
iL<u,  (  with  others  on  the  fame  >  j  and  . 

vour  to  follow  and  apply  the  1 

thirdly 3  HE  took  a  Catalog 
belonging  to  his  Chun 
r*  he  rtlblvedthat  he  won' 


JL>U.  COTTON  MATHER?  35 

logue  by  Parcels  at  a  Time  upon  his  Knees  and  Pray 
For  the  moftfuitable  Bleffings,  he  could  think  of,  t6 
be  beftowed  upon  each  Perfon  by  Name  diilinctly 
mentioned. 

Fourthly ,  IN  perufing  hisSermons  before  he  Preach 
ed  them,  he  refolved  to  make  even  that  an  Exerciie 
of  Devotion  by  endeavouring  to  fetch  an  agreeable 
Ejaculation  out  of  every  Head  and  every  "Text  pro 
duced  in  them. 

Fifthly,  HE  had  one  Defign  which  I  will  exprels 
in  his  own  Words  ; 

f  IT  will  coft  me  verv  bitter  Toyls  and  Pains  ;  yet 
f  perhaps  I  may  be  ierviceable  in  it :  If  I  procure  to 

*  my  felf  an  exact  Account  of  thole  evil  Humours,  of 
f  which  the  place  were  I  live  at  any  time  is   under 
c  the  obfervaole   Dominion  ;     and    whereas    thofe 
f  Devils  may  be  caft  out   by  Fafting  and  'Prayer  fee 
f  apart  a  Day  flill  of  fecret   ^'Prayer  with  Fafling  for 

*  each  of  them  ;  to  defreuate  my  own  Guiltinefs  in 
f  theirij   and  fupplicate    for   fuch  EfFuiions    of   the 
c  SPIRIT  from  on  high,  as  may  reurefs,  remove  and 

*  banifh  fuch  Diftempers  from  the  place. 

13.  BUT  he  did  not  think  thefe  Things  fufficient, 
He  tho't  it  his  Duty  to  vijit  tke  Families  belonging 
to  his  Church;  taking  cne}  and  fomctimt*  t zvo  Aftei- 
noons  in  a  Week  for  that  Purpofe. 

HE  fent  before-hand  to  the  Families,  that  he  in 
tended  at  fuch  a  time  to  vifit  them  :  And  when  he 
came,  with  as  pungent  and  handlome  Addreiies,  as 
polfible,  he  would  treat  evefry  Periuh  particularly 
about  their  Eternal  Interefb. 

Firfl,  HE  difcoUrfcd  with  the  El<lcr  People  u'poti 
fuch  Points  as  he  tho't  tnoft  proper  for  them. 

AND  especially  charged  them  to  maintain  Family 
'Prayer ,  obtain'd  their  Promifes  for  it  if  they  had 
neglected  it,  and  prayed  with  tbeni  that  he  might 
ihow  them  ho-iti  to  fray,  as  well  as  to  obtain  thqk 
purpofes  for  it, 

HE  likewife  prefled  upon  them  the  Care  of  inftruft- 
ing  their  Chihlren  and  Servants  in  the  Holy  Religion 
\ve  profefs,,  and  bringing  them  up  for  CHRIST, 

Da  I* 


O/ 

IF  any  that  he  ihould  have  fpoke  with,,  wereabienf, 
he  frequently  left  a  Solemn  "/t^  or  two  oftheSacrea 
Scripture,  which  he  tho't  moft  agreable  for  them;  de- 
iiring  fome  prefect  would  remember  him  to  them, 
and  from  him  recommend  unto  them  that  Oracle 
of  GOD. 

AND  by  the  way  at  his  Farewel  to  his  Chriirian 
Friends  and  as  a  Concluflon  of  his  Viilt,  he  woulji 
contrive  to  commend  unto  them,  fome  fuitablc 
^Text  of  Scripture  ofwhicl-i  they  might  think  when 
he  was  gone  from  them. 

BUT  I  return  ;  He  having  done"  with  the  Parents, 
then  called  for  the  Children  $\}d  Servant  s-,.  and  put 
ting  to  them  iuch  Shteftiem  of  the  Catecbifm  as  he 
tho  t  fit,  he  would  from  the  ^ftpvo 


make  as  lively 

Applications  to  them,  as  could  be^  for  engaging  them 
to  the  Fear  of  GOD. 

HE  frequently  got  Tromifes  from  them  relating  to 
Secret  'Prayer  y  Heading  the  Scriptures  &  Obedience 
to  their  Barents  and-  Mafters. 

HE  would  often  fet  before  them  the  'Propofah  of 
the  NewCovett&Mtf&ei:  he  had  firft  laboured  for  their 
Conviction  and  Awakening  :  So  they  have  full  of 
Tears  expreffly  declared  their  Contenting  to,  and  Ac 
cepting  of,  the  fP?opofals  of  the  Covenant  of  Grace, 
which  he  diftinc"tly  fet  before  them. 

SOME  of  the  lejjer  Folks'  he  would  order  to  bring 
their  Bibles  to  him,  and  read  unto  him  from  thence 
three  or  four  Verks,  to  which  he  turned  them  :  He 
vvould  charm  them  to  think  on  fuch  Things,  as  he 
thence  obferved  for  their  Admonition,  and  never  for 
get  thofcfoitfcfulfyyittgs  of  GOD. 

HE  would  fometimes  leave  fome  awful  £)ueBio0s 
with  them,  which,  he  told  them,  they  fhould  not 
Aofwef  to  him,  but  to  tLemfelves  ;  As,  What  have  I 
been  doing  ever  fince  I  came  into  the  World  about  the 
.great  Errand  upon  which  G  O  'D  fent  me  into  the 
Worlds  And  If  G02)  jhcidd  vo-iv  call  me  out  of  the 
World,  what  would  leccmc  of  me  throughout  Uternd- 
^4^es  ?  And  Have  I  ever  yet  by  }:?itl>  carried  a  per- 
ijbinjr$wl  unto  the  LOR& 
Righteoufnefs  and 


E)r.  COTTON  MATHER,  ,7 


MANY  other  fuch  Methods  he  took  for  the 
#/'/;£  of  Souls  in  this  Difcharge  of  his  Miniftry  :  And 
fee  enjoy'd  a  rnoft  wonderful  Prefencc  of  GOD  with. 
$im  in  this*  undertaking  ;  and  leldom  left  a  Family 
without  fears  dropt  by  feveral  in  it. 

HE  could  feldqir;  4ifp2tch  more  than  four  or  five 
lamilies  in  an  Afternoon.,  and  look'd  on  this  Work  as 
laborious  as  #ny  in  all  his  Miniftry.  He  fat  a  great 
Value  upon  ftis  'Pajfpral  Wjjts  ;  he  not  only  Md,  buc 
got  Good  jn  his  Cotjverfetjbn  with  all  forts  of  Perfons, 
and  tho'c  he  never  '•wa.lk'^  more"  in  the  S'P  IR  I'T 
than  tbxumdkJBjr  tohisF.lbck  toferve  and  feek  their 
befl  Intereft.  "I  need  not  fay"  any  more  about  his 
P'ifits  ,•  his  Memorial  for  ^Pdftojdl  Vijits  is  publifhed, 
which  will  give  you  (bme  Account  of  his  Conduct  in 
their.. 

j4-  His  Love  to  his  Chw.th  and  Congregation  was 
very  flaming.  To  Excrcife  this  Love  -'--  he  was 
very  defirous  :  and  therefore  he  refolved  to  take 
the  Sills,  that  are  put  up  in  our  Congregation,,  for 
'•Prayer  or  'Prc.tfe,  and  prefent  the  particular  Cafes 
there  exhibited  before  the  LORD  in  his  Study,  where 
he  did  more  particularly  implore  tfce  Gra^e  ot  GOD 
for  each  of  them  than  he  did  or  could  in  the  Publick, 

AND  in  pursuance  of  this  Intention,  (that  is'  the 
Exercife  of  Love  )  he  would  ask  himfelf  before  his 
^Evening  'Prayers,  Who  hath  in  the  foregoing  Day 
ihown  me  any  Kindmfs  ?  And  he  would  then  "par 
ticularly  fupplicate  the  GOD  of  Heaven  that  he  would 
bcftpw  Spiritual  and  Eternal  Favour  SVA  each  of  them 
that  had  particularly  obliged  him,' 

15. 
deed 

hop'd  might  prove  ferviceable,  fonie  way  to  them. 


16.  HE  was  continually  fca^tering 

uto  'their  Hands  ;  and  often  did  it  with  this  Advi 

nbsr  I  am  ficaking  ro  you  all  tb:  xli'is  w* 

D  3  .         favt 


The  Life  of 

this  Book  before  you  !  And  fo  there  was  not  * 
Day  in  the  fear  in  which  he  was  not  preaching  to 
many  of  them.  It  is  fcarce  imaginable  how  many 
good  Books  he  dilpofed  of:  He  has  given  away  above 
a  \TbJufan&"in.  a  Year. 

• 

17.  IT  was  a  Rule  with  him  (  and  he  beg'dofGon 
?o  give  him  this  .Good  fiefs  3  Tatience  &  Condefccntion  ) 
rather  to  fuffer  and  bury  in  filence  any  manner  of  In 
juries  &  Abufes  from  JLbJurtl  People 3  than  to  manage 
any  Contention  with  any  of  them  on  anyOccafion. 
Let  the  Matter  and  Jjjiie  of  the  Cpntroverfy  be  what 
it  will.,  he  tho't  he  ihould  gain  more  in  regard  of  his 
greateft  Intereir,  by  remitting  his  Right,  than  vigo- 
roufly  furfuing  it.. 

AND  in  the  Services  of  Chriftianity,  If  he  made 
any  Difference  between  thofe  that  abufed  him,  and 
thofe  that  valued  him  ;  it  was  in  being  more  ready  to 
ferve  the  former  than  the  latter. 

AND  it  was  admirable  to  fee  how  this  Conduct 
would  conquer  the  Follies  Si  Humor  s  of  unreafonabls 
^People. 

18.  HE  was  ever  defirous  of  entertaining  an  high 
Opinion  of  the  pcrfonal  Worth ,  Wifdom.,   Goodnefs 
and  Accompliihments  of  many  in  the  Flock.,  and  the 
vmfpeakable  Worth  of  theSculs  of  all  ofthenijand  by 
this  Opinion    to  be  quickned  in  his  Studies  for  his 
Sermons,  that  they  might  be  as  able3  and  yet    as  ufe- 
ful  Gnnpofures  as  he  could  render  them  :    And  in 
deed  they  never  had  caufeto  complain  of  his  Difcour- 
fes  as  jejune  and  unltudied. 

19,  HE  endeavoured  with  explicit  Consideration:; 
that  all  the  temporal  Benefits  he  enjoy'd  by  theSal.iry 
which  his   People  allow'd  him.,  might  be  anpivered 
and  vaitly  exceeded  in  the  Spiritual  'Benefits  of  which 
his  Mimfiry  might  make  them  the  Partakers.    Their 
Salary  fed  him  :  he  would  therefore  prepare  rich  and 

-,-  orr-i  Angels  Food  for  their  Mind§.  It 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  39 

him  ;  he  would  therefore  do  his  beft  in  fhowing  them 
how  to  put  on  CHRIST.,  how  to  defend  and  adorn 
themfelves  with  the  Garments  of  Salvation,  it  warm 
ed  him ;  and  therefore  he  would  endeavour  to  {peak 
things  unto  them.,  that  mould  make  their  Hearts 
him  within  them  and  keep  alive  the  Flame  of  'Piety 
among  them. 

2.0.  I  mentioned  a  little  while  ago'  his  concern  for 
his  Church,  in  his  '•Prayers  —  I  rnuft  add  this  one 
Inftance  of  his  Love  to  them ;  That  he  would  ever 
now  and  then  fet  apart  an  whole  'Day,  to  fupplicate 
the  Favor  of  Heaven  for  them  with  flrict  Fa/ling. 
And  on  each  fuch  Faft,  altho'  near  FcurHundred  be 
longed  unto  his  Church 3  he  would  pray  for  each  ef 
them  by  Name  and  befeech  jthe  m oft  fuit able  Blellings 
fw-them. 

21.  A  Lord  Chancellor  of  England,  who  was  alfb 
Areh-Bifliop  of  York  {aid  in  his  latter  days.,  c  That 
f  in  his  Time  he  had  palled  thro*  more  Foils  of  Office 
c  and  Honour  than  mbft  Men  in  the  World  j  but  if 
f  he  were  fure  that  any  one  Soul  had  been  by  his 
*  Means  converted  unto  GOD  and  CHRIST  &  Holi- 
c  nefs,,  it  would  give  him  unspeakable  more  Satisfac 
f  tion  than-  all  the  Dignities  that  had  been  conferd* 
e  upon  him.  r  How  happy  then  was  Dr.  MATHER, 
and  how  aftonilhing  his  Satisfaction  !  For,  as  he  had 
not  been  a  Year  a  Minifter  before  lie  had  thirty  Seals 
of  Jois  A&niftry,  h.  e.  thirty  wlio  declared  unto  the 
Church  He  was  the  Cattfe  under  GOD  of  their  Aivc 
wing  and  Conversion;  Many3  Manv,  (  Gon  knosvs 
how  many  )  have  been  by  his  AddreiTcs  to  t|icm  eithep 
by  'Tongue  or  'Pen  iince  bro't  home  to  GOP. 
Many  excellentPerfons  on  theirDeath-Beds  have  often 
fpokcn  unto  him  of  wha.t  Goo  had  by  his  Minilhy 
done  to  them  .-  He  has  often  feen  them  with  Rapt  are 
triumphing  over  theStinn;  and  Irarof  Death,,  owning 
4iim  as  the  Inftrumental  'Saviour  of  their  <  :'orr 

®^r/',confeifing  t\\e\\Love  to  him  &  alluring  him  of 
ihe  Wondrous  Glory  waiting  for  him  as  well  as  t: 
* 


4<s  STfc*  Life  of 

2.2.  I  know  not  how  to  leave  this  Se&ion  without 
iinferting  the  Words  I  met  with  in  the  private  Papers 
of  his  pious  Mother,  which  fhe  wrote  on  4  d.  2.  m. 
1714.  (  on  whjch  E>ay  me  died.  ) 

(  '  went  thro'  many  Deaths  in  bearing  Children^ 
e  but  tuofe  ^Deaths  have  proved  the  Spiritual,  Life 
f  of  many  a  Soul.  GOD  particularly  k>  bleffed  my 
c  ElderJSoti,  that  I  have  often  bleiled  the  LORD:, 
c  that  made  me  the  Mother  of  Jucb  an  eminent  Ser- 
(c  vant  of  GOD. 


SECT.  2.     His  Icing  ;,dr,cermd  in  Affairs 
"  from  'tbe  Miniftry  ;    ///   Jnjtru&ion  of  Scholar's.,  in 
public  Affairs  of  Government,  &c.  w/V/fr  Accounts 
cf  his  extenfive  ferviceabknejs. 

i.  T  T  may  as  well  be  bro't  in,  \\\  this  Place  as  "any, 
l_  That  "from  SeventeenYews  old  fre  had  for  more 
than  Seven  Tears  together  the  Charge  of  Scholar^ 
and  fome  under  his  Tuition  older  than  himfelf.  Thefe 
his  lPupils  he  carried  thro'  the  Parts  of  Academic 
Learning ;  and  by  inftru'fting  them  confirmed  himfelf 
in  many  Points  of  Literature.  The  Methods  how  he 
taught  them  the  Hebrew  Tongue;  How  he  heard 
their  daily  Recitation  from  the  Originals  of  both 
Teframent-s;  how  he  competed  Catechijins  of  the 
Several  Art s  for  them ;  how  he  directed  their  peda 
nts  and  jDt/fures  — -  might  be  related  for  fome- 
what  of  CuricfLy  in  them.  But  1  will  hint  one  thing 
which  may  be  grateful  to  thofe  who  have  theEmplov 
jneat  cf  Tutors.  3  Tis  this ;  He  had  many  Contrivan 
ces  t^a1  !,e  might  favethe  Souls  of  the  Toung  Men 
•whQ  were  committed  to  his  Charge.  He  therefore, 
bciidcj.i--.  Cares  to  AeEfc-iiBJibuilitions  of  Sin  in  any 
of  rJv.i:  CoHverfatioi .,  J'.J.  (uccemvely  ufe  to  f^nd  for 
themj  cm  ly  CM,  into  his  Stud  y  ,,and  there  in  the  moft 
moving,  foft^  obliging.,  &  yet  mofl  folemn  ^c  lively 
.ler  difcourfe  with  thqm  about  their  own  everlajt- 

tn& 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER. 

ing  ftttercfts;  and  he  would  then  beftow  forne  | 
Books  on  them  to  further  the  Work  of  GOD   a; 
Ci  ace  upon  their  Spirits  :  And  moreover,  he  mac 
his  Callow,  that  in  every   Recitation  he  would,  iipn; 
fomething  or  other  occuring  in  it,  make  an  Occaiion 
to  let  fall  fome  Sentence,  which  might  have  attend 
to  promote  the  Fear  oj'G  0  U  in  their  Souls,  \\ 
Practice  did  fomedmes  caufe  him  to  exert  his  Wi 
Readinefs  ;  but  it  left  a  good  Effect  upon  theYc 


at  length  GOD  gave  him  to   fee  the  I-L. 
of  thefe  his  Labors  ;  for  ievcral   of  thefe    Young 
have  proved  able  and  holy  Preachers,-  a_rid  among  the 
inoft  hopeful  of  the  riling  Generation.    Mr.  .MA* 
would  often  fay,  He  would  give  all.  he  was  woi 
the  World  for  thofe  Meafures  of  Grace  and  fence  < 
he  fa\v  in  fome  that  were  once  his 


2.  1  ;im   here  to  mentioii   his  being  concerr  : 
State  Affairs:  (  a  difficult  Section  !  )  and  I  muft 
my  Reader  that  I  am  more  at  a  lots  what  to  do  cbout 
it  than  any  one  in  the  whole  Book  ;    for   ihould  I 
omit  the  Section  I  muft  be  a  faulty  Hiftorian,  to  leave1 
out  what  is  fo  confiderable  ;  and  if  I  Ihould.  infei 
length,  write  the  ill  Managements  of  o.thers  and  the 
Warmth  with  which  the   tDoffor  ever  appearcc^  fo; 
Truth  and  Honour  as  well  as  for  his  People  &  < 
trey  ;  I  fay,  mould  I  record  thefe  Things  in  all  theii 
tircumftarices.,  it  might  provoke  the  Anger  o£ 
Gentlemen  and  others.      Now  becaufe  it  is  my 
that  this  Hiftory  may  be  very  unexceptionable.,  i 
tr  eat  of  one  or  two  Things  only,  and   write  <• 
Reft  in  fuch  a  General  Way  as  to   give  no  on 
Offence. 

I  find  my  felf  obliged  to  mention  one  01 
Affairs,  particularly  in  which  Mr.  MATHER  wa 
lidered  and  diftinguifhed  himfelf. 

MY  Country  is  very'  fenfible  that  in  ^he  Yeai 
(  when  one  of  the  moft  wicked  cf  Kings  was  < 


e  °f 

Britifli  Throne  )  AN  BROS  and  his  Crew  were  very 
violent,  illegal  and  arbitary  in  their  Proceedings  :  I 
need  not  give  any  Narrative  of  their  Managements 
here,  becaufc-  there  has  been  an  Account  of  them  al 
ready  given  to  the  World. 

WHILE  thele  Roaring  Lions  and  Ranging  Sears 
sre  in  the  midft  of  their  Ravages  j  It  was  in  the 
Month  of  April  when  we  had  News  by  the  Edges 
concerning  a  Defcent  made  upon  England  by  the 
Prince  of  Orange  for  the  Refcue  of  the  Nations  from 
Slavery  and  fofery  ;  —  Then  a  Strange  Difpofition 
entred  in  theBody  of  our  People  to  allert  our  •  -Liber  -ties 
againft  the  Arbitrary  Rulers  that  were  fleecing  them  : 
But  it  was  muchfea.red  by  the  more  fenflbleGendemea 
at  So/Ion,  that  an  unruly  Company  of  Soldiers,  who 
had  newly  deferted  the  Service  in  which  they  had  bin 
employed  for  the  Eaftern  War,  by  the  gathering  of 
their  Friends  to  them  to  protect  them  from  the  Go 
vernor,  who,  they  tho't,  intended  nothing  butRuine 
:o  them,  would  ma.ke  a  great  Stir  &  produce  a  bloody 
Revolution. 

ANB  therefore  the  principal  Gentlemen  in  Soft  on 
met  with  Mr.  MATHER  to  confult  what  was  belt  to 
be  done  ;  and  they  all  agreed,  if  poffible,  that  they 
would  extinguif^  all  EfTays  in  our  People  to  an  In- 
furre&ion  ;  out  th<it  if  the/  Country  People  to  the 
Northward  by  any  violent  Motions  p.ufh'd  on  the 
Matter  fo  far  as  to  make  a,  Revolution  unavoidable, 
When  to  prevent  the  Shedding  of  "Blood  by  an  ungo- 
vemed  Multitude,  fome  of  the  Gentlemen  prefent 
would  appear  in  the  Head  of  what  Action  mould  be 
and  a  'Declaration  \\~z.$  ,  prepared  accordingly. 


ON  April  1  8,  thcPeople  were  fo  driving^  furious,. 
that  unheaded  they  began  to  feize  our  public  Op- 
preflbrs  ;  upon  which  the  Gentlemen  aforefaid  found 
it  neceffary  to  appear,  that  by  their  Authority  among 
the  People  the  unhappy  Tumults  might  be  a  little 
And  thro'  the  Goodnefs  of  COD,  altho* 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  45 

rh,e  whole  Country  were  now  in  a  moft  prodigious 
Ferment  and  Thouiands  of  exafperated  People  in  Arms 
were  come  into  Soften,  yet  there  was  no  manner  of 
Outrage  committed  ;  only  the  public  Robbers  that 
had  iorded  it  over  Us  were  confined.  'Twas  then 
Mr.  MATHER  appeared  —  He  was  the  Inftrument  of 
preventing  the  Excefles  into  which  the  Wrath  of  Man 
is  too  ready  to  run ;  He  came  and  like  a  NESTOR  or 
ULISSES  reafoned  down  the  Papons  of  the  Populace: 
had  he  lifped  a  Syllable  for  it,  perhaps  the  "People 
would  by  a  Hidden  Council  of  War  have  try'd,  judg'd 
and  hang'd  thofe  ill  Men,  who  would  have  treated! 
him  otherwife.  Neverthelefs  he  fee  himfelf  both  pub- 
tickly  &  privately  to  hinder  the  Peoples  $>roceec3ing 
any  further  than  to  reierve  theCnminais  for  t'he.Juftice 
of  the  Eaglifj  Parliament. 

•Now  the  Perfecution  which  was  intended  for  Mr, 
MATHER  was  diverted ;  for  on  that  very  Day  that  he 
was  to  be  committed  to  half  a  Tears  Imprifonment^ 
thofe  that  would  have  wrong d  him  were  juffly 
taken  into  Cuftody :  And  yet  fo  generous  was  he  as 
not  only  to  expofe  his  Name  but  even  his  Life  unto 
the  Rage  of  the  Multitude  for  the  faving  of  fome  that 
would  have.hurt  him  :  Tho1  he  had  no  Thanks  for 
his  Ingenuity? 

THE  Spirit  which  adled  him  in  thefe  Matters  is 
exprelled  in  a  Sermon  he  preach'd  to  the  Convention 
of  the  Colony  from  2.  Chron,  XV,  2.  Ic  was  printed 
under  the  ^Title  of,'  "fhs  Way  to  ^Proj ferity. 

A  few  Days  before  this,  the  Inhabitants  of  Bofton 
afTembling  together  to  chufe  Keprefintatives  for  that 
Convention  &  vote  fyftruffionsdorthQmjt  was  appre 
hended,  that  the  different  Perfuafions  of  the  People  4- 
tout:  the  vxt Steps  to  be  taken  for  ourSettlement  would 
have  produced  a  Fury  near  toBIoodfte d ;  and  therefore 
Mr.  MATHER,  was  defired  to  be  at  theirMeeting.  The 
Meeting  began  with  d^ngeroys  ^nd  horrible  ParoxylniSj, 
\vhich  when  he  Taw*  he  upon  it  made  an  affectiprvite 

d  moving  Speech  to  ihem,  at  which  many  fell,  into 

Vt"          '  J^3 
/  'r — " 


Life  of 

Tears  and  the  whole  Body  of  the  People  prefcnt  im 
mediately  united  in  the  Method*  of  'Peace  Mr 
propoied  unto  them, 


UPOJ?'  Difcourfing  with  him  of  thefe  Affairs  he 
has  told  me,  that  he  always  prefled  'feace  and  Love 
zr/  tybmiffio*  unto  a  legal  Government,  tho'  he 
fuffc  d  from  fometuiTiultuousPeople,by  doing  fo  ;*and 
upc  .  che  whole,  hasaflerted  unto  me  his  In'nocency 
and  rreedom  from  all  known  Iniquity  in  that  Time, 
but  declared  his  Resolution.,  from  the  View  he  had 
of  the  fickle  Humors  of  the  Populace  that  he  would 
chule  to  be  concerned  with  them  'a$  little  as  poliible 
for  the  future.  And  fo"  I  difinifs  this  Head  of  the  Re 
volution. 

3.  MY  Country  is  alfo  acquainted  with  the  Confu- 
fions  which  they  fuftered  by  the  Witchcrafts  in  it. 
I  fiiall  here  fay  a.  little  of  that  Time  of  Temptation  ; 
and  write  Mn  MATHER'S  Sentiments  &  Actions. 

THE  Summer  of  the  Year  1692.  was  a  very  <dpie- 
ful  Time  unto  the  whole  'Country.  —  The  Dcvih 
after  a  mofl  preternatural  Manner  by  the  are?,dfu> 
judgments  of  Heaven  took  a  'Bodily  'PoJJcJJion  of 
many  People  in  oi\r  ^/ew^ndPlaces  adjacent  ;  where 
the  Houfcs  of  the  poor  People  began  to  be  iilled  with 
the  Cries  of  Perfons  tormented  by  Evil  Spirits.  There 
feem'd  -tc>,  be  ah  execrable  Witchcraft  in  the  Founds  - 
tion  </f  this  Wondrous  Affliction  ;  many  Perfons  df 
diverfe  Charafters  being.  accufed.,  apprehended^  yro- 
upon  *he  Vifions  of  the  Afflicted. 


Mr.  MATHER,  for  his  Part,  was  alw^s  affraid  of 
oceding  to  convicT:  and  condemn  any  Perfon  as  a 
nfederate  with  afflicting  2)<emons  upon  fo  feeble  aa 
Evidence  as  a  Spetfral  Reprefentatio».  Accordingly 
lie  ever  leftified  againft  it  bothj>«£//t&;>-  &  privately, 
and  particiiHrly,  in  bus  Letter  to  the  Judges,  fcq  be- 
fought  thein  that  they  would  by  no  means  admit  it*'; 
confiderable  \4/sm'yly  cfM*  '"  gavt' 


Dr.  COTTON  MA.TH&RJ  45 

In  their  Advice  about  that  Matter.,  he  not  only  cqn- 
c-jr'd  withth-  Advice  but  He  drew  it  up. 


,,  on  the  other  fide,  hefaw  in  moil 
of  the  Judges  a  charming  Inftance  of  Prudence  and 
fa  tierce;  and  as  he  knew  their  exemplary  'Piety,  fo 
tie  obfbrved  t\\tAgcny  ofSoul  with  which  they  fought 
the  Direction  of  Heaven,  above  moii  other  of  our 
People  \Vh'o  were  enchanted  into  a  raging.,  railing  and 
•uhreafonabie  Diipofition.  For  this  Caufe,  tho'  Mr. 
could  not  allow  the  'Principles  fome  of  the 


Judges  had  efpoufcd,  he  could  not  however  but  fpeak 
honourably  o'f  their  fPerfons  on  all  Occailons;  and  his 
•CwnpaJJIott  upon  the  fight  of  their  'Difficulties,  which 
C^ipaffion  was  raifed  by  his  Journeys  to  Salem  the 
chief  Seat  of  thefe  Diabolical  Vexations,  caufed  him 
ftill  to  go  to  the  Plaice.  And  merely  for  this  Reafon, 
fome  mad  People  in  the  Country  (  from  whom  one  or 
two  credulous  Foreigners  have  dared  to  publiftied  the 
abudve  Story  )  under  a  Fafcination  of  their  Spirits 
equal  to  what  ourEuergumens  had  upon  their  Bodies, 
reviled  Mr.  MATHER,  as  if  he  had  bin  theDoerof  the 
hard  Things  that  were  done  in  the  Profecution  of  the 
Witchcraft. 

IN  this  evilTtme  Mr.  MATHER  offered  at  the  Be- 
gittoing  that  \ifatpoffeJfeA  'People  might  be  fcattered 
far  afunder,  he  would  fingly  provide  for  Six  of  them  ; 
and  he  with  fome  others  would  fee  whether  without 
more  bitter  Methods,  cPrayer  with  Fafting  would  not 
J>ut  an  end  unto  thefe  heavy  Trials  :  But  his  Offer 
was  not  accepted. 

.  HOWEVER  for  a  great  Part  of  the  Summer  he  did 
almoft  every  Week  Ipend  a  Day  by  Himfelf  in  the  Ex- 
ercifes  of  a  fecret  FAST  before  the  LORD.  On  thefe 
Days  He  cried  unto  GOD  not  only  for  his  own  Pre- 
fervation  from  the  Malice  and  Power  of  the  Evil  An- 
gels,  but  alfo  for  a  good  IJJiie  of  the  Calamities  in 
which  he  had  permitted  the  Evil  Angels  to  enfnare 
the  inifcnblc  Country.  He  alfo  befought  the  LORD 

thap 


JLtjc  oj 

that  he  would  enable  him,  profper,  direct  and  accept 
him  inpubhihing  fuch  Teftimonies  for  HIM  as  \\ere 
proper,  and  would  be  ferviceable  unto  His'  Interefts 
on  that  Occafion. 

AND  that  a  right  Ufe  might  be  made  of  the  pro 
digious  Things  which  had  been  happening  among 
us,  he  now  compoled  &  publifhed  his  Book  entkuled, 
y'fte  Wcndersoftbeinvifible  World;  which  \\as  re 
printed  feveral  Times  in  London  :  In  the  Preface  he 
fpeaks  of,  (t  the  heart-breaking  ExerciJ'ts.  "  He 
ivent  thro3  in  writing  it.—  TKere  was  a  certain  Z)//- 
lelievcr  cf  Witchcraft  who  wrote  againfr.  this  Book  ; 
but  as  the  Man\s>  dead.,  hisBook  died  long  before  him. 


BUT  having  fpoken  end'  of  the  more 
craft;  I  think  1  will  hale   in  here  an  Account  of 
Witchcraft  happening  in  one  private  Family  ztSojion 
two  or  three  Years  before  the  general  one. 

3TwAsa  I  think,  in  the  Year  1689.  in  the  Winter^ 
that  feveral  Children  belonging  to  a  pious  Family  at 
the  South  End  of  Boftcn  were  horribly  bewitch*  d 


MR.  MATHER  tho't  it  wxmld  be  for  the  Glory  of 
OD,  if  he  not  only  pray'd  with  as  well  as  for  the 
tortured  Children  ;  but  alfo  took  an  ^Account  of  the 
extraordinary  Symptoms  which  attended  them,  with 
fufficient  Atteftations  to  confound  the  Sadducifm  and 
Jttheifm  of  a  debauched  Age. 

HE  therefore  did  thefe  Things  ;  and  that  He  might 
"inert  erFe&ually  do  them,  took  one  of  the  Sufferers 
to  his  own  Houfe.  With  a  thoufand  ftrange  Paflages 
he  found  himfelf  entertain'd  ;  the  chief  of  which  he 
afterwards  compiled  into  a  juft  Hijlcry  which  is  pub 
lifhed  under  the  Title  of,  Memorable  'Pwvidances  re 
lating  to  Witchcrafts  and  To/ejlicns..  The  Things 
referring  to  Himfelf  m  thefe  Papers,  he  reports  as  of 
a  third  Ferfon  -f  and  with  the  Story  He  alfo  p- 

* 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER."  47 

fome  Sermons  preach'd  on  that  Occafion. —  Mr.  BAX 
TER,  often  mentions  this  Book  in  his  Book  of  the 
World  of  Spirits  ;  and  once  in  a  Lecture  at  cPi?wers- 
llall  quoted  it,  with  an  Invitation  unto  People  to 
purchaie  it  ;  unto  which  end  Mr.  BAXTER  procured 
the  Reprinting  of  it  at  London  with  a  kind  Preface  of 
his  own  to  it. —  'This  Book  alfo  has  been  flouted  at 
and  written  againft  as  well  as  the  former ;  to  men 
tion  the  Author's  Names  would  be  to  Ihow  them  too 
much  refpect  ;  their  Writings  never  had  Credit  enoj 
among  any  Men  of  Se nfe  to  deferve  an  Aniwer. 

BUT  I  have  now  done  with  my  Account  of  the 
Witchcraft 3  and  Mr.  MATHER'S  Sefvic&ablcnefs  in 
the  'ftjnt  of  it. 

I  fliall  not  come  lower  down,  and  fhow  what  a 
fiharc  the  Itottovr  had  hi  the  Management  of  Civil 
Affairs  for  fear  of  writing  amifs.  But  Si  Charts  Jik- 

ant  quod  bene  feceris  -  •  -  Mercedcm  tuleris. 

4.  BUT   however  I  may  obferve  that,   all  along, 
wherever  he  faw  our  Governors  and  Commanders  ta 
king  any   fteps  that  he  tho't  might  be  hurtful 3    he 
would  freely  either  by  Word  of  Mouth  or  Writing  tell 
them  his  Sentiments ;;  and  whenever  he  was  apprehen- 
iivc  of    any  Step   that   might  be   for  our  Benefit, 
he  would  fpeak  his  Tho'ts  to  our  Rulers,  and  give 
them  his  beft  Advice. 

5.  AND  not  only  to  our  Rukrs  here  ;  but  unto 
tkofe  beyond  Sea3  who  were  concerned  for  our  Wel 
fare,  he  manifefted  the  fame  Freedom.    There  are  fe~ 
veral  <Perfo»s  of  S) utility  ;  I  fuppofe,  now  living  that 

uus  of  the   Doctor's  Fidelity  to  his  Country 

king  on  their  behalf,  when  any  2) ] finger  threat- 

icnij  and  when  any  Profit  might  acrue  from  his 

-  But  here  tool  am  obliged  to  refrain  from 

IWHm  the  initances, 


Life  of 

6.  THERE  will  be  no  hurt  in  relating  the  fever  al 
Societies  he  was  related  unto. 

HE  promoted  and  fet  en  foot  Societies  for  tkk 
SupprejfionofDifcrdcrs  %&&  for  doing  Good  -3  and  he 
belonged  to  them. 

IN  the  Year  17151.  He  projected  a  Society  ofiPeace<- 
makerSy  (  like  what  we  read  of  in  Coin-land  )  whofe 
Bufinefs  it  was  to  co'mpofe  and  prevent  £>irTerencesj 
and  divert  Law-fuits  that  might  ariic. 

HE  was  one  of  the  Commiffioners  forth?  Indian 
Affairs,  whom  he  very  much  excited  and  fpirited  to* 
the  Doing  of  vvhat  has  bin  done.  here.  He  has  lome- 
times  got  them  to  keep  a  'Time  of  'Prayer  for  that 
poor  People  ;  he  preach'd  a  Sermon  unto  them, 
which  is  printed,  and  called  India  Cbrijliana  ;  and 
at  the  end  of  it  there  is  an  account  of  the  Propagation 
of  Religion  as  well  in  the  Eaftern  as  the  Wejlern- 
Indies.  He  belong'd  to  fome  other  Societies  in  this 
Country  which  it  is  needlefs  to  Write  of. 

7.  HE  printed  zTropofc.lfor  an  jlv angelic al'T're a- 
fury  ;    the  Defign  of  which  was  to   advance  a  Fund 
for  bearing  the  Expence  of  building  Churches  in  defli- 
tute  Places,  ofdiftributing  Books  of  Piety.,    of  reliev 
ing  poor  Mnifters  &c.    The  Doctor's  Church  and 
fome  others  came  into  it,  and  'tis  to  be  hop'd   that 
fo  good  a  Practice  will  pfevail  morb  &  more. 

S.  HE  it  was  that  bro't  up  the  -happy  Method 
of  Inoculation  cf  tke  Small  Tox  among  us  ;  Fcr 
*twas  he  thatfiril  drew  up  an  Account  of  thiaMethptf 
from  Ti  WON i us  and  PILARINUS  out  of  the  Tra'n- 
ftctions  of  the  Royal  Society,  and  recommended  it  to 
the  Phyflcians  of  the  Town. 

9.  BUT  he  did  not  think  it  fufticient  to  be  ufeful 
and  active  at  home  :  h^  was  for  appearing  publickly, 
and  to  the  European  Wcrid, 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHE-R.'  49 

WHEN  the  An&n  Controverfy  was  warm,  he  could 
not  refrain  writing  M\s  Amsi  lean  Sentiments  Upon  it. 


he  Taw  the  ^Prcteflant  Intereft  run  low,  he 
ifiuft  publifh  his  Jujl  Sentiments  of  the  'Proteftant  Re- 
liricn  ;  and  oblerving  the  curfed  'Perfecution  of  the 
Proteftants,  he  could  jiot  but  print  his  Sufpiria  Vine- 
rc/;w»,calling  all,  that  plight  ferve  GOD  with  Freedom 
to  pray  for  the  opprefled  People  of  GOD. 

10.  THAT  his  Ufefulncfi  might  reach  beyond  his 
Country,  he  learned  the  French  &  Spanijb  Tongues., 
and  in  his  Forty  fifth  Year  conquered  Iroq'fiois  Indian; 
in  each  of  which  he  has  publimed  Tfeatifes  For  thelt 
Inftruction. 

1  1.  I  have  told  you  before  fomething  of  \\\iCkarity. 
I  may  nere  take  notice  that  he  did  not  look  upon  a 
Seventh  part  of  his  Intereft  as  Cno'  to  be  laid  out  1m- 
ftous  ufca's.  —  I  need  not  tell  my  Reader  how  he 
procured  the  Benefactions  of  others  ;  nor,  fince  an 
Account  of  it  is  printed,  need  I  acquaint  you,  how 
that  lie  procured  feveral  Benefaction's  for  the  pious 
Foundations  at  Hall  in  the  Lower  Saxovy,  for  which 
he  has  been  publickly  thanked. 

12.  THE  Ambition  and  Character  of  my  Father's 

Lite  was  Service  able  nefs.     I  fhall  Conclude  thisSe^ioti 

and  Chapter  by  telling  you,  that  this  QuefUon  Whet 

Goo.  -I  //.'////  /  -h  ?  was  the  Subject  of  his  dailv  Tho^rs., 

even  from  his  early  Youth  ,•  and  befides  his  Cufrom  tc? 

let  apart  now  and  then  a  time-  to  dwife  Good,  he.fel- 

dorri  came  into  any   Company  without  explicit  Confi* 

deration  upon  it,  as  t  think  I  hinted  before    It  would 

•  !  have  been  but  a  loisof  time  in  him-^and  other- 

\viie  ufeL  r.  :o    /  ccurd   Tlioufands  of  cieligns  TO   do 

G  •"//  \vlvich  he  contrived  in  his  Mind.     But  however 

and  I  will  give  you  the  Recolleo 

he   obferved   in  carrying  on   this 

/  'Purposing,  and  which  it  will  not 

••  ;'•:•  to  '  nc-'1  -j'u'lr  :    And'howe\ev 


50  The  Life  of 

there  may  \>t  fame,  private  Circumftances  in  what  I 
write,  yet,  becaufe  the  greatest  "Part  have  fome  Re-> 
ference  to  she  public,!  tho't  it  would  be  moft  pro 
per  to  infert  his  Method  hcrc^  and  to  fum  tip  this 
Chapter  with  it. 

HE  found  that  he  could  every  Morning  redeem  the 
Time,  while  he  was  dreffing  himfelf,  by  taking  his 
grand  Queftion  into  Conhderation,  What  Good  may 
J  do  j  Accordingly  the  Week  wai  divided  by  him  into 
as  many  Subjefls  of  Confederation  as  there  be  Days,  in 
the  Week; 'and  the  "Remit  of  his  Tho'ts  on  each  of 
them,  he  noted  down  as  foon  as  he  came  into  his 
Study  in  his  Book  of  Hints  for  things  to  be  fpoke  or 
done  ;  but  with  fuch  very  brief  Hints  that  they  only 
ierved  to  preferve  in  his  own  Mind  the  Remembrance 
of  his  cPurfofes)  untill  he  lliould  have  Opportunity  t» 
profecute  them. 

I  flull  now  recite  in  "order  his  Morning  Qucftions  : 
but  you  may  not  imagine  that  I  mall  or  can  tranfcribe 
the  Multitudes  of  AnJ'kvers  to  each  Quelrion  upon 
which  he  tho't.  However  to  illuftrate  theManner  and 
^Procefs  of  his  Operation  upon  it,  I  may  infert  a  few 
brief  Hi/its  of  his ;  from  which  we  may  form  an  Idea 
how  to  proceed  upon  fuch  a  Queftion,  when  We  mall 
have  it  lying  before  us. 

His  Quejlioti  for  the  SABBATH  Morning 
conftantly  was, 

WHAT  ft  all  I  do  as  a  Paflor  of  &  Church  for 
the  Good  of  the  Flock  under  my  Charge  ? 

HERE  he  rank'd  the  People  of  the  Flock  into 
feveral  Clajfis,  diftinftly  confidering,  what  they  were, 
and  what  was  to  be  done  for  them.  He  confidered 
what  Subjects  were  moft  feafonable  and  agreable  to 
be  handled  in  his  Sermons  ;  what  would  moft  fait, 
and  bell  ferve  each  of  the  Claffes.  He  confidered  how 
he  might  make  his  ^yaytn  as  well  as  his  Sermons- 

leave 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER,  jt 

leave  good  and  Itrong  Impreffions  on  the  Auditory. 
He  entreated  the  Neighbours,  ailociatcd  for  Exercifes 
of  Religion  to  lend  their  Advice,  what  Things  they 
might  want  or  wifh  to  hear  treated  on,  and  he  accom 
modated  them.  He  confidered  how  to  make  his  pub- 
lick  Miniflry  more  lively,  uieful  and  acceptable.  He 
conhderedywho  were  to  ^.frivaiely  adarefs'd  with 
his  Vifits,  and  on  what  Intentions.  He  coniidere4 
how  he  might  vifit  the  Schools  unto  the  bell  Advan 
tage,  particularly  foine  Charity  Schools,  which  he  pro 
cured  to  be  erected.  He  confidered  how  he  might 
carry  on  Evangelical  Deiigns  in  conceit  with  the 
'Pkyficians  in  "the  Neighbourhood ;  whom  he  parti 
cularly  defirgd,jflaat  they  would  let  him  know  the 
Neceilities  o?  the  Sick,  if  he  were  ignorant  of  them  ; 
and  unto  whom  he  communicated  rich  Nctivns  and 
Medicines  which  in  his  Reading  he  had  obferved. 
Many  more  fuch  Things  he  tho't  upon. 

ALTHO'  I  fpokc  fomething  before  of  it ;  yet  I  will 
here  again  take  particular  Notice  of  one  Thing  a- 
mong  his  'Pui'po/es  and  'Practices,  becaufe  it  belongs 
to  this  Head  oi  CottjUerations. 

Hit  obliged  himfelf  unto  this  Method  in  Studying 
a  Sermon  •  on  every  'Paragraph  he  made  a  cPauJes 
and  endeavoured  with  Acknowledgments  and  E'j-ii'U- 
lations  to  Heaven,  and  with  Self -Examinations  to  feel 
fome  holy  ImpreiUohs  of  the  yrutfis  in  that  Para 
graph  on  his  own  Soul  before  he  went  any  further. 
By  means  of  this,  the  Seven  "Hours  which  he  ufualJy 
took  to  Pen  a  Sermon,  prov'd  fo  many  Hours  of  'De 
votion  with. Him.  The  Day  in  which  he  made  a  Ser 
mon,  left  juft  fuch  a^Flavor  oh  his  Mind,  as  a  %Jay  of 
'Prayer  us'd  to  do.  When  he  came  to  cPreacb  a. 
Sermon  fo  iludied,  he  could  do  it  with  more  Liberty. 
and  Ajjlirancn  ;  and  he  tho't  the  truths  thus  pre 
pared  would  come  with  a  more  feniible  .Warmth  and 
Life  upon  the  Auditory. 

BUT  I  proceed  ; 

E  *  Hi? 


Lije  of 


His  Shtcjlion  for  JvloNDAY  Morning  was,  Wb&t 
pall  2  do  in  rty  Family,  and  for  the  Good  of  it  r 

HERE  he  cohfidered  himfelf  as  an  Husband,  as  a 
Father  and  as  a  Majter.  He  would  dcfire  his  Confort 
to  think,,  what  fPro£ofals  there  were  that  She  would 
make  to  him  in  her  Service.  He  projected  how  his 
Prayers  with  her  in  his  Study  might  be  very  much 
for  her  Service.  He  chcfe  Books  to  be  read  by  her 
that  might  be  fo.  He  contrived  how  to  mention  fomc 
inftruftive  thing  at  going  to  Sleep  ..and  Riling  from  it. 

-4 

H£  coniidered  what  'Points  of  Education  were  flill 
wanting  in  any  of  his  Children,  and  purfued  them  in 
the  molt  proper  Ways.  I  told  you  before,  he  caufed 
them  to  read  and  write  fuch  things  as  he  found  out 
for  their  beft  Advantage,  and  moft  mitablc  Entertain 
ment.  He  took  each  of  them  alone  fuccefti  vely  on 
the  Saturday  Evenings,  and,  having  obtained  a  know 
ledge  of  their  interior  State,  and  the  declared  Refolu- 
rions  of  their  Souls  for  early  Piety,  he  prayed  with 
them.  He  caufed  fome  of  them  to  compofe  Prayers 
and  bring  them  to  him  in  writing,  that  he  might  fee 
their  Temper  and  Progrefs  in  Religion.  He  obliged 
them  to  retire  and  ponder  upon  that  Quefrion,  What 
jhoitld  I  laip  to  have  done,  if  1  were  »oiv  a  dying  ? 
And  he  would  oblige  them  to  report  unto  him  their 
own  Anfwer  to  the  Queit'ion  ;  of  which  he  took.  Ad 
vantage  to  inculcate  tbcjkcjjons  cfGodlinefi  on  them. 

HE  confidered  how  to  drop  ufeful  Admonitions  ort 
his  Servants,  as  they  were  waiting  on  him  ;  if  the 
Action  afforded  any  Time  for  it.  He  provided  for 
their  Inflrudion  in  every  thing  that  he  fuppofed 
might  be  for  their  Good.  He  put  fuch  Trcatij'es  into 
rheir  Hands,  as  might  be  molt  profitable  unto  them 
in  the  Peru  fal.  And  as  a  fort  c  ''  ^  '  falling  from 
the  Table  of  his  Servants,  he  1  orran  to  keep 

z.'  School,  in  which  the  Sable  .( 
every  Evening  learn  to  read  ar>.: 

and  he  himfelf  bore  the.  whole  Expeuce  of 


Dr.  COTTCJN  MATHS&  •     55 

this  Charity  School,  every  Week  paying  the  Mifhefc 
her  Wages. 


Two  were  his  ^ucjliohs  for  TUESDAY  Morning.    ' 

Firft,  WHA  1*  flail  I  do  for  my  Relative  alrop.J* 
He  took  a  Catalogue  >  which  began  with  his  *Pcr?nts-9 
and  extended  as  far  as  the  Children  of  his  Cdtifiu  d'  :• 
mans-  With  the  help  of  this  Catalogue,  he  piopoun- 
ded  that  he  would  at  proper  times  friiy  for  each  of 
'them  dirljnctly  by  Name.  And  that  every  \Veek  h* 
"would  iinglc  out  one  of,  them  to  confider,  What 
Good  may  /  do  for  t  her/it  Or  tn  tvb.tt  In/!  arm;  m.iv 
they  be  {be  better  jor  we?  And,  that  he  might  add  reft 
every  one  of  them  iucceifwely  with  faithful  Admoniti 
ons,  concerning  their  interior  and  eternal  Intercfta, 
cither  by  fpeaking  to  them  perionally,  or  by  Writing 
to  them,  or  by  putting  Hooks  of  "Piety  into  their 
Hands  ;  he  propounded  in  this  way  to  glorify  our 
bleiFed  SAVIOUR,  and  endeavour  a  Conformity  to 
him,  who  even  on  his  Crofi  took  peculiar  Care  of  one 
that  was  nearly  related  unto  him.  I  kit  he  did  not 
confine  thefe  Eifays  of  Good  unto  his  Relatives  with 
in  the  Limits  of  his  Catalogue:  No!  He  made  them. 
reach  as  far  as  ever  he  could  rind  out  Opportunities. 
I  need  not  any  further  explain  this  Article;  only  in 
one  Inflance. 

WHEN  his  Father  vvits  become  aged  and  in  a  con 
tinual  and  defirous  Expectation  of  his  call  out  of  this 
World,  tho'  he  was  in  a  goodStnte  of  Health,  Strength 
and  Vigor;  he  refolved  chat  every  Interview  he  had 
with  him  (  which  was  almoft  every  Day  )  ihould 
have  in  it  fomething  or  other  referring  to  the  Hea--vc^- 
ly  World,  and  alftft  their  mutual  Preparation  for  it; 
not  knowing  but  it  might  le  the  fafi  '  "7/«e  of  thea* 
Conferring  together  in  this. 

Bur  then  Secondly  ;  When  fuch  nn  Occafion  f-T  k 
has  occur'd,  he  intermitted  the  ferrncr  Qijci5.!;  r,  and 
much  c*.  nccrned  for  bis  Fuewies  (  -whom  C  .00 
E  3  uu-'f 


54  l-f*>e  -Life  &f 

made  Instruments  of  Good  unto  him  )  at  for  his  Re- 

l-.'Sfves.  He  therefore  enquired,  What  Good  Jfjall^ 
do  for  my  ferfonal  Enemies ;  and  how  Jhall  I  over 
come  Evil  with  Good? 

His  publick  Circumftances,  his  Faitbfulncfs'm  the 
Difcharge  of  his  Duty,  the  Power  of  Satan  over  the 
Minds  of  many  People  &  the  Envy  of  fome  ill  Spirits 
at  his  Improvement  and  Acceptance  procured  him  a 
Number  of  perfonul  Enemies,  or  at  leaft  of  fuch  as 
treated  him  injunoujly  and  abujively.  Each  of  thofe 
Perfens,  as  far  as  he  could  come  to  the  Knowledge  of 
them,  he  would  fet  himfelr  diftinc'tly  to  conlider, 
What  good  Offices  be  mi^ht  do  for  them  ?  Before,  ac 
cordingly,  he  prayed  for  each  of  them  by  Name,  and 
he  would  fay,  as  I  remember  I  have  read  in  Mr.  BUR- 
2;  IT'S  Life  3  fome  'Perfons  had  never  had  a  fours  in 
my  'Prayers  but  for  the  Injuries  they  have  done  me  f. 
And  if  he  could  perceive  or  invent  any  other  Oppor 
tunity  to  do  them  Goody  he  wou'd  do  it ;  tho3  many 
Times  he  has  done  it  fo,  chat  tl^cy  knew  not  whence 
it  came.  He  was  very  fond  of  being  able  to  fay^ 
jT&at  he  knew  not  of  any  'Perfon  in  the  World,  that 
l>ad  done  him  an  ill  Office \  but  he  h*d  done  him  & 
good  one  for  it  \  and  he  left  off  the  Alternation  of 
this  Queftion,  till  there  might  recur  Opportunities 
for  his  Tho'ts  upon  it. 

His  Quefiion  for  WEDNESDAY  Morning  was,, 
JVbMflati  I  Jo  for  tbe  Churches  of  the  LOR®,  and 
the  more  general  Interest  of  Religion  in  the  World  ? 

HERE  hf;  confidered,  what  cPropcfals  to  make  un 
to  other  Miniften  of  his  Acquaintance.  He.  conlidered 
what  'Books  ne  might  compcfe  <Sc  publim  to  advance 
the  Kingdom  of  his  SAVIOUR.  He  considered,  how 
to  (iirtufe  and  difperfe  the  Engines  of  Chriftian  Know- 
Aege  and  Vertue  unto  diftant  Places.  He  had  his 
;r«;r,y  Corrcj pendencies,  (of  which  niorc  by  and  by  ) 


J3r.    C.OTTOH    IvlATHER.  55 

but  he  would  make  them  all  fubferyient  to  his  greaC 
Delign.  His  endeavors  to  ferve  the  general  Inter  eft 
of  Religion,  have  reached  unto  each  of  the  three  King 
doms.  They  have  extended  unto  ibvernl  other  Nati- 
tions  of  Europe.  They  have  vrfited  all  the  Englifo 
Plantations  in  America ;  and  particularly  every 
Town  ofthc'  N'w-Etiglijb  Colonies, to  which  he  was 
under  ipecial  Obligations.  Negroes  &  Indians,  Na~ 
.  dons  ef  them  as  well  as  others,  have  been  reached  by 
them  :  Nor  has  the  Jewish  Nation  Been  unconfidered, 
nor  the  Greek  Churches,  ^htis  cxtenkvely  generous 
was  he.  that  i  cannot  help.ufmg  Sir  JOHN. PENTIUM'S 
'line  Char'acler  of  his  T'/^a/jc^  '^  and  applying  it  unto 
the  Doctor ; 

Thus  'GoJlike  his  unwearied  Sounty^O'KS  ; 

Firfi  loves,  to  Jvy  thejt  Icves  the  Good  He  4oes. 

Nor  are  theft  lilcljlnfl  to  his   'Banks  confin\l  • 

But  free  atid  common   as* the  Sea  and  Wind. 

•Bur  I  come  to  THURSDAY  Morning  :,His  Quef- 
tioH  for  that  was,  What  Gcotfmay  I  do  in  thefevera} 


Societies  to  which  I  fan 

HE  was  related  to  above  twenty  Societies  of  a  'Re 
ligious  Character  and  intention.  He  mure  have"  his 
Times  to  lrifit  every  one  ot  thefe,  alwaysto;  &tffon>°- 
thiug  in'  them  and  for  them.  He  kept  [  a  watchful 
'Eye  over  tl^em,  and  Would  as  far  as  potfible  mal^o 
them  become  Engines  of  Good  in  the  La»tJ.  * 

SOME  of  the  Societies  which  .he  cherifhed  ~as  well  as 
produced,  were  a  fort  of  Refflfoiing  Societies,  or  ,9a- 
cicties  for  the  Supprefjion  of^Diforders.  I  havefpoke 
efthem  before,  but  will  now  give  a  more  particular 
Account  of  them.  The  Doctor  Contrivec!  and  pr-.>  - 
pos'd,  that  4tTe  otlier  Societies  n/  Religion  to  w 
ne'belong'd  migJitj  as  far  as  they  coula,  be^r  th  if 
part  in  purfuing  the  Defign'  stthefc  Reformers. 


Vid.  Dertham's 


vj$  *fhs  Life  of 

for  tbefe,  he  endeavored  generally  every  Week  to  be 
p  refent  with  them  ;  and  ever  to  fay-  iomthing  that 
jnight  be  both  for  their  iDiretiicn  apd  Encouragement. 
He  drew  up  certain  'A'/'/tfj \  of  Confi deration ^  to  be 
wi  th  due  Paufes  rea.d  in  the  Societies  every  time  they 
jr»e  t,  for  any  to  offer  what  Propolal  he  p^eafed  upon 
any  of  the  Points  at  the  Reading  of  it.  I  will  here 
tranfcribc  thofe  '•Point ;  of  Confederation  ;  and  we  may 
eal'jly  guefs,  that  they  will  fuppiy  one  with  Matters 
to  which  one  may  bej  not  a  little.,  fecviceable. 


r  i.  Is  there  any  remarkable  tDiforder  in  the  Place, 
that  requires  our  endeavor  for  the  Suppreflion  of  it; 
and  in  what  fair,  likely  way  we  may  endeavor  it  ?  l 


a. 


.  Is  there  any  particular  'Perfon  whofe  difor- 
derly  Sefoavior  may  be  fb  fcar.dalous  &  ib  notorious 
that  we  may  do  well'to  fend  unto  the  faid  Perfon 
our  charitable  Admonitions  ?  Or  are  there  any 
contending  (Pcrfons  whom  we  fhould  admonilri  .,  to 
quench  their  Contentions. 

*  ?.  Is  there  -any  fpccial  Service  to  the  Intereils  of 
f  Religion  3    which  we   may   conveniently  defire  dur 
5  Mtvijiers  to  take  Notice  of  ? 

c  4.  Is  there  any  thing  we  may  do  well  to  men- 
r  tion  unto  the  Jujlices  for  the  further  promoting  good 

*  Order  ? 

?  5.  Is  there  any  fort  of  Officers  among  us  to  fuch  a 
e  Degree  unmindful  of  their  Duty^  that  we  may  do 
f  well  to  mind  them  of  it  ? 

c  6.  CAN  any  further  Methods  be  devifed  that  /£- 
f  norance  and  Wickednefs  ma,y  be  chafed  from  our 
'  People  in  general,  and  that  Houfehold  'Piefy  in 

*  particular  may  flourifli  among  them  ? 

*  7.  DOES  there  appear  any  Inftance  tfOppreffait 

*  or  Fraudulsucem  tne  Dealings  of  any  fort'cf  Peo- 

*  $\t3  that  may  call  for  our  EfTays  to  get  it  rectified  •» 


Dr.  COTTON  MA.THIR.  5y 

f  3.  Is  there  any  Matter  to  be  humbly  moved 
f  unto  the  Lepiflativ*  Tower  to  be  enacted  into  a 
f  Law  for  public  Benefit  ? 

c  9.  Do  we  know  of  any  Perfon  languifhing  under 
f  fore  a.nd  fad  Affliction  ;  and  is  there  any  thing  we 
c  may  do  for  the  Succour  of  fuch  an  afflicted  Neigh- 
e  bour  ? 

f  10.  HAS  any  Perfon  any  Tropofal  to  make  for 
c  our  own  further  Advantage  and  Alfiltan.ee,  that  w« 
*  our  felves  may  be  in  a  probable  and  regular  Capacity 
f  to  purfuethe  Imcntioni  before  us  ? 


THUS  I  have  taken  theLiberty  to  recite  their  Joints 
of  Co  nfide  ration,  in  hopes  that  the  publifhing  of  them 
may  be  very  {ervic€4ble. 

Ti'.E  Doctor  Itarted  numberlefs  Things  in  the 
Societies  upon  thefe  Points.  Their  Rcgijiers  1  fup- 
pofe^  are  fill'd  with  them.  I  fhall  only  add,  con 
cerning  thefe  Societies,  that  once  a  Year  they  ufed  all 
to  meet  together  in  one  Place,  and  have  a  I2)ay  of 
"Prayer3  in  which  they  humbled  them  felves  for  doing 
fo  little  Good  ;  and  befought  the  Pardon  of  their  Un- 
fruitfulnefs  thro'  the  -Blood  of  the  gieat  Sacrifice; 
and  implored  the  Bleliing  of  Heaven  on  the  Eflays 
to  do  Good  which  they  had  made,  with  the  Counfei 
ana*  Conduct  of  Heaven  for  their  further  EfFays,  and 
fuch  Influences  of  Heaven  as  might  bring  about  thole 
Hjformafiom,  which  it  was  not  in  their  Power  to  ac- 
compliili.  On  thefe  Days  the  Doctor,  with  another 
Mimfter  carried  on  the  Exercifes. 

THIS  was  his  Method  on  tfbttrJJay  Mornings  : 
But  at  length  he  found  it  expedient  to  change  his 
Queftion;  and  He  .made  this  his  alternate  one;  Is 
there  any  particularPerfon  able  to  do  the  Goodjwhicb 
lies  out  of  my  more  immediate  React) ^  to  whom  Imty 
tffer  fome 


9$.  ^bt  Life,  of 

i  BY  anfwering  this  Queftion,  lie  -made  his  Convsr- 
&tion  flill  more  ufeful.  Thus  he  was  often  3.  Doer 
pf  Good  at  the  Second  IIcind>  and  often  had  the 
Pleafure  not  to  be  known  to  have  any  hand  at  all  in 
was  done. 


Que#ion  for  FR  i  B  AT  Morn  _wss  conftant!  JF 
this  ;  What  facial  Subjects  of  AffHSion,  anJ  Ol>j  eft's 
t}  tftay  I  take  under  my  particular  Cat's  . 


HERE  he  took,  a.  Catalogue  of  the  'Poor  in  his 
numerous  Fl^jj^;  hut  extended  his  Care  further  than 
fo,  wherever  he  faw  any  miferable.-  -  He  minded  allb, 
)who  wanted  Employment  ;  He  took  notice  of  thof§ 
under  peculiar  Exercifis;  and  was  very  tho'tfulj  what 
Souls  were  by  particular  Addrefles,,  to  be  puH'd  as 
Strands  out  of  the  Surging,  becaufe  of  their  being 
abandoned  to  flaming  Wickednefs?  He  comlantty 
Angled  out  one  or.  otnej:  of  thefe  to  be  on  this  Mo:u- 
|ng  confiderefi. 


only  adr?  one  thing  more  upon  this 
He  confidered,  that  tho'  t)ie  lVtn,l  will  not  fill  the 
Hungry  ,  yet  it  will  turn  the  Mill,  that  will  grind 
the  Corn  to  fill  the  hungry.  And  therefore^  having 
his  Lifl  of  Miserable  s  commonly  with  him,  he  very 
pfteri  in  Company  would  make  it  a  SubjeA  of  the 
Conversation,  What  flj  all  be  done  for  fuch  orfucb  an 
ttpeitimy  Lift  ?  And  thus,  befides  the  innumerable 
Kindnefles  which  he  had  himielf  more  immediately 
done  for  them,  he  procured  multitudes  of  Kindneiles 
from  others  ;  and  the  firir.  Spring  in  the  Motion  has 
been  unknown  to  them.  Very  much  of  the  Spirit  and 
'Pfeafure  of  his  Life  was  in  fuch  things  as  thcfe^  Anil 
I  may  tell  my-  Reader  .,  what  I  gave  him  to  underilamil 
Jbefofe,  that  he  did  not  ordinarily  let  one  1)ay  in  '& 
$Cear  pafs  him,  without  fomething  expended  on 
&fis,  ocfides  ijis  other  continual  K.imineffes  to 
ted  Peole. 


Dr.  COT*ON  MATHER,  5^ 

AND  at  length  I  arrive  to. his  <^f/?/'0«  for  SATUR- 
PAY  Morning.  I  may  well  caflPit  his,  for  it  was 
about  the  Concerns  of  his  own  Soul. 

THE  Queftion  was  ;  What  more  have  I  to  do  for 
the  Inter eji  of  GOiD  in  my  own  JH^art  and  j 


I  fhall  a  little  here  illuflrate   his  way  of  Thinking 
upon  this  Queftion. 

.  HE  would  let  himfelf  to  conflder  the  more  Cfecial 
Sins  of  his .  Youth  ;  and  what  more  Jpccial  Se/iuice  he 
ihould  do  for  the  Kingdom  of  Con,  in  the  .greatefl 
Contrariety  to  his  former  Mfe 


HE.  fet  himfelf  then  to  confidcr  the 
had  met  withlfmid  upon  this,  what  Services  nc  fhould 
be  awakened  by  them  to  do  for  the  Kingdom  cfGor, 

HE  confideredj   how  he  was  favoured  with  furp'ri' 
zing  and  uncommon  Opportunities   to  publifh  'many 
2!ooks  of  'Piety  ;  and  of  what   valt  Concernment  it 
was,,  that  he  Ihould  take  effectual  Care  his  oiv;;  'Book's 
did  not  prove  at  lait  his  Condemnation,  by  his  failing 
in  thofe  j&tainmenii  in  Religion,  which  he  commen 
ded  unto  others.     Wherefore   (  with  Prayers  tpbede- 
livered  from  this  )  he   would  fometimes  on  n.Lord"; 
Day  Evening  read  over  his  own  £ooks  cj 
and  work  them  over  again  upon  his  He.irt,  uni 
own  Soul  was  exquifitely  conformed. unto  t' 

HE  refolved,  that  whatever  bodily  : 
might  labour  under,,  (  or  that  he  could  call  to ''mind 
he  had  been  viiitedwith)  he  would  make  them  the' 
Qccajions  and  Incentive  of  foineagreable  piipolkions 
In  his  Soul. 

THUS  T  have  given  you  a  brief  Specimen  of  his  at* 
fwering  the/^';  Queftion  :  I  have  been  the  mov, 
here  ;  becaufe  a  fuller  Anfaer  will  be  given   to  it  in 
thefixth  Chapter  of  this  Book.,  v.licre  1  il-^ll  ticat  o; 
.  large, 

CH  &.F. 


t«  tfhe  Life  of 

CHAP.    III. 

«t 
His  Experiences,  and  Deliverances  from  'Temp 

t afions ,  Dangers  and  Sicknefs  •,  togetbtrwitb 
bis  Deliverances  from  Evilioxgucs  &  peas  * 
and  bisCarriagc  &  Rcfotutio*s  when  troubled 
with  then. 

j.     \   MONS   the  three  Things  which  conftitute  t 
/A    fini{tfd  'Divine ,  Temptation  is  one ;  and  none 

<L  X  muft  expect:  to  be  very  confiderablc  with 
out  them.     Mr.  MATHER  had  his  fhare  ot 
them. 

HE  was  never  much  tempted  to  queflion  the  Ex- 
iftence  and  SProwVw*  of  the  DEITY  :  If  ever  he  was 
at  all,  he  resetted  the  tho'ts  with  the  utinoft  Detefta- 
tion  and  Abhorrence. 

WHENEVER  he  was  tempted  to  any  evil  Frame  of 
SpuL,  or  any  wrong  JtSKon,  his  conftant  Courfe  was 
to  cry  out,  O  L  0  R  2)  /  befeech  TH  E  E,  'Deliver 
my  Soul !  and  he  endeavoured  to  form  fuch  'fho'ts  as 
(hould  be  reverfe,  to  thofe  infufed  or  excited  by  the 
Tempter^  as  well  as  to  a 51  contrary  and  diametrically 
oppolite  to  what  he  was  tempted  to.  Thus  \\trcfijteJ 
tbe  tDevil  until  he  fad  from  him:  He  tho'tj  tha& 
Oracle  in  i  Cor.  xv.  58.  was  Anlwer  enough  for  any 
Temptation. 

a.  I  will  rehte  one  or  two '  Inltances  of  the  Divine 
Appearance  to  keep  him  from  JDpftrudioii^  when  in 
very'  great  Danger. 

IN  his  5<?th  Year  he  received  a  Remarkable  2)?- 
liverance.  For,  Riding  over  a  "Bridge  one  of  the 
*fol0s  on  it,  that  was  rotten,  broke,  and  his  Horfe 
b'roke  thro*  and  funk  down  to  bis  Breaft.  Mr.  MA 
THER,  chofe  'rather  to  keep  the  Saddle  than  gooff 
snto  the  River 3  and  the  Horfe  to  the  Aftonimment  of 
the  Company  rofe  again  (tearing  off  his  .SV^winRirmgJ 
and  leap  d  over  with.  Mr.  MATHER  fafe  upon  hirrt. 

*  T  1 

How 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  fi 

How  happily  do  all  Creatures  fcrve  us,  while  we  are 
ferving  their  and  our  LORD  ! 

I  (hall  relate  but  one  rtotablc  Deliverance  more  t 
When  the  Squadron  arrived  from  the  Weft-Indies3  on 
Board  of  which  there  was  a  confiderable  Army  return 
ed  from  a  fruitlefs  Expedition  there;  Mr.  MATHER 
was  deiired  by  many  of  the  Officers  to  give  them  a 
Sermon  on  a  certain  Sabbath  upon  an  Ijland  where 
they  put  aihore  to  air  themlelves.  He  raflily  under 
took  it,  but  while  he  was  in  hie  Excellency's  Barge,  he 
was  taken  fo  very  Sick4that  his  Friends  muft  needs 
earry  him  back  again.  As  foon  as  he  came  Home  he 
was  well :  The  Admiral  afterwards  told  Ijjm,  i£  was 
well  he  went  no  further;  for  the  Army  had  newly 
fuiFered  a  great  Defolation  by  a  S.icknefs  moie  infecti 
ous  and  destructive  than  the  Plague  it  felf :  And  had 
he  gone  and  converted  among  fuch  an  infe^ious  Com 
pany,  it  would  probably  have  coft  him  his  Life,  as  it 
proved  mortal  to  many  of  his  Neighbours,  who  were 
to  hardy  as  to  go  down  among  them. 

* 

;.  BUT  having  mentioned-  his  being, kept  from  ill- 
nefs,I  may  now  very  properly  add  a  Section  of  his  be 
ing  vijited  with  Sicknefs,  his  T'/wt's  under  itj  his  jDe~ 
liveratice  from  it,  with  the  grateful  Sentiments  of  his 
Heart  upon  being  kept  from  fundry  Difeaies. 

SOMETIMES,  efpecially  when  a  Young  Man,  he 
was  troubled  with  tormenting  Pains  in  his  T'ccth  and 
y/i-it1;,  which  cPains  made  him  lofe.more  Time  Than 
he  was  willing  to  fpare,  and  which  produced  many  a 
lad  Hour  to  him  in  his  Pilgrimage.  In  thefe  Pains 
he  would  let  himielf,  as  well  as  he  could,  to  try  i-ls 
Ways. 

HF  conildcred  whether  fir  no,  he  had  not  finned 
wish  b  ?  How  ?  By  finful  and  exceffive  £ar- 

tttg  :  An  Evil  Speeches;  for  there  are  Liter* 
Skritahs  uled  in  them.  At  laft  by  a  courfe  of  Wafh* 
ing  behind  h:i  Ears  and  on  the  Top  of  his  Head  with 
Cold  Wt*t  be  obtained  »  Deliverance  from  the  un- 


- 

6-i  The  Life  of 

B*  Reafon  of  his  Sedentary  Life,  great  Study  aiid 
little  Exercife,  he  was  when  in  Years  much  afflicted 
a:,-d  enfeebled  with  Sicknefs  at  his  Stomach,  a  palled 
aad  pained  Stomach.  From  hence  he  muft  awaken 
himielf  to  bewail  his  want  of  a  Stomach  for  the  Service 
of  Gor^  and  Meditations  on  his  SAVIOUK  j  he  mult 
mourn  for  his  not  having  an  Appetite  for  thebeft  Ob 
jects  and  Actions,  which  he  tho't  he  had  not  duely 
reliihed  :  The  Offences  of  his  stomach  in  the  Intemp 
erance  of  the  Table  he  tho't  alfo  to  be  bewailed  ,  he 
beg  the  Pardon  of  his  Mifcarriages  thro'  the  Blood 
of  the  great  Sacrifice^  and  beg  Grace  to  carry  it  better. 
Thus  he  fetch'd  Good  out  cf  Evil,  and  thus  Evil 
together  for  his  Good. 


THE  laft  Thing  I  foall  mention  in  this  Section  is 
his  pious  Tho'ts  upon  being  delivered  from  Sicknels 
in  General)  andjft;<?  'jOifeajes  in  particular. 

HE  was  ever  defirous.,  to  be  greatly  affected  with 
Difpolhions  ofagreable  Gratitude  unto  the  GOD  of  his 
Health  ;  and  by  the  Health  with  which  he  was  fa 
voured  to  be  awakened  unto  fuch  Acknowledgments 
of  Gon  and  fuch  Reiblutions  of  Piety,  as  he  tho't  were 
jnoft  emphatically  expected  from  him.  Wherefore 
when  he  viiited  the  Sick.,  he  would  blefs  the  LORD 
for  hi*  own  Freed  cat  from  their  Difeafes  j  and  would 
think,  what  moral  fZ/V/r-'tf/rj  and  Diforders  he  had 
analogous  to  themyagainir.  which  he  fhould  be  watch 
ful;  and  unto  what  Graces  and  Actions  he  fhouldby 
the  Geodnefs  of  his  SAVIOUR  be  animated,  and  he 
would  fir  ft  offer  his  'Prayers  and  then  employ  his 
for  the  obtainin  of  them. 


THERE  are  particularly  five  2)i  [cafes  ;  hisDeliver- 
ance  from  each  of  which,  he  improved  in  a  way  of 
exceeding  ffcankfufaifs  unto  the  LORT  his  Healer. 
And  being  delivered  from  tkcw,  he  would  t>n  the  oc- 
calion  glorify  his  GOD'  after  this  manner.  .  Since  he 
•was  not  lying  under  the  Jiving  Death  of  a  cpal/ey,  he 
would  be  very  zealbus  and  aftive  in  the  Service  ot 

GOD 


Dr.  COTTON-  MATHER.  tf- 

Since  he  was  not  underCorroiibrfs  of  a  Cancer* 
he  would  have  all  Tendencies  to  Envy  extinguiihcdf 
in  his  Soul,  and'  a  perpetual  Joy  at  the  Profpcrity  of 
his  Neighbour  flourishing  in  him.  Since  he  had  not 
the  Tortures  of  the  Gout,  his  Feet  Jhould  chearfully 
carry  him  to  the  afflicted,  with  Comfortable  Words, 
and  unto  the  Congregation  of  the  Fakhful  ;  While 
his  Hands  ftiould  not  be  idle  in  writing  for  GOD,  and 
in  diftributing  to  the  Poor.  Since  the  Stone  had  not 
laid  him  on  th£  Rack,  he  would  be  full  of  tenderC0«- 
pajfion  to  all  the  Miferable.  And  ftnce  he  was  hot 
wafting  with  zConfumption,  he  would  beware  ofZe*«-, 
nefi  in  the  Soul,  and  pining  away  in  Iniquity.  Thus 
he  learned  Obedience  by  the  things  which  he  fuffered 
not. 

4.  I  never  observed  among  Pagan  Writers  a  better 
description  in  fo  few  Words  of  a  good  Man,  refolute 
in  Virtue,  even  while  he  is  reproached  for  it,  thin' 
that  of  Ru  T  i  L  i  us,  R  U  *TlL  1  1  Finns  &  Innocen- 
tia  lateret,  nifi  accept  /Jet  Injuriam-  2)um  viciatur 
efulfif  f.  The  very  fame  may  be  faid  concerning  Dr. 
MATHER,  in  the  midft  of  the  bafe  Ufagehe  met  with 
from  the  T'o/jues  and  'Pexs  of  feveral. 


excellent  Uncle  of  Wltney  in  Oxfordjhire3  in 
his  Letter  about  I'tmftt  attorn,  obferves,  that  Miniilefs, 
who  meet  with  abufes  from  ferry  and  fcoundrel  Peo 
ple,  have  caufe  to  look  on  themfelves  as  humbled  on. 
the  Account  of  their  having  the  JEgyptian  Plague  of 
Lice  upon  them.  If  fo,  then  the  Dodor  might  have 
Caufe  for  Humiliation  on  the  fame  Account  ;  having-' 
perhaps  the  Infults  of  contemptiblePeopie^heAiraults1 
of  thofe  infignificant  Lice,  more  than  any  Man  in 
New-England.  Thefe  troublefome  but  diminutive' 
Creatures  he  fcora'd  to  concern  hitnlelf  with,  only  to' 
$ity  them  and  pray  lot  them. 

HOWEVER  GOD  appeared  fo  for  'nirri,  that  fcven!" 
m  have  at  laffi  been  bro'c  to 


t  Seneca  Epift.  7^, 

f>be!r 


4>  '  STfo  Life  of 

their  Will  alrnoft,  what  fuperior  Excellency  there  was 
in  him. 

I  will  here  for  fome  Caufes  infert  one  Panage  ; 
(  tho'  there  were  feveral  in  the  Doctor's  Life  of  the 
lame  Importance  )  -'Tis  this ; 

IN  the  Year  1704..  Offob.  10.  there  came  feveral 
People  to  the  Dodtor  very  late  at  Night 3  telling  him^ 
there  was  a  Man  in  the  Town  lay  a  dying,  but  could 
not  be  fatisfied  unlefs  he  law  him  before  he  died.  The 
Man  was  noted  for  his  wickednefs.  * 

WHEN  the  Doctor  came  to  him  (  who  wondrcd  at 
him  that  he  would  fo  readily  do  it  )  he  told  him  to 
this  Purpofe,  f  That  he  had  been  a  very  profane  Per- 
fon;thathe  had  given  himfelf  a  great  Liberty  to 
abufe  good  Men ;  but  had  abufed  no  Man  in  the 
World  fo  much  as  Doctor  MATHER.,  and  that  he 
could  not  go  out  of  the  World  without  ccnferling 
it,  bewailing  it  unto  him,  and  befeeching  him  to 
'  pardon  it.  '  The  Doctor  asked  him,  if  he  had  re 
ceived  any  particular  Prejudice,  or  ever, had  been  in 
formed  or  dould  have  pretended  any  particular  Matter 
of  Fact,  upon  which  his  Abufes  might  have  been  efta- 
blifhed  ?  He  gave  him  to  underiland,  that  (  There 
*  was  nothing  of  that,  but  all  was  downright  Malig- 
c  nity  ;  for  he  took  him  to  be  a  Man  that  did  more 
<  Good  than  others.,  and  that  was  all  the  Reafon  why 
f  he  had  vilified  him  more  than  other  Men  '.- 

*THE  Doctor,  after  his  well  known  mild  Way,  told 
the  Man,  That  there  was  no  Occafioti  for  any  Par 
don  becaulb  of  his  Speaking  diminutively  of  him  ', 
for,  fays  he,  you  may  fpeak  Io  of  me,  and  do  me  no 
wrong.  But,  continued  he^  for  your  fpcaking  injuri- 
qufly,  falfely,  calumniouily  of  me,  it  was  indeed  a 
Fault ;  yet,  as  he  would  forgive  it  without  his  asking 
for  it,  had  it  been  ten  hundred  times  more  than  it" 
was,  he  would  join  with  him  in  crying  to  GOD  for 
the  Forgivcnefs  of  that,  and  every  Thing  elfe  where- 

f  His  Name  was  George 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.'  tfj 

!n  he  had  done  amiis.  '  He  did  fo;  The  Man  watf 
full  of  AirecHon  to  himj  kept  continually  crying  for 
him  to  be  with  him  the  next  Day  in  the  Forenoon, 
and  he  died  in  the  Afternoon.—  And  perhaps  every 
Man  who  ever  reproached  him,  if  he  were  to  place 
himfelf  in  the  Circumilanjes  of  a  dying  Man  would 
alter  his  Opinion  and  change  his  Tone. 


tA  his  \  meaner  Reproaches  :  But,  could 
6ne  think  it,  the  Do'clors  dilhnguilhing  'Piety  and 
Ufefulnefs  procured  him  ibme  Enemies  among  thof<j 
who  might  other-ivifc  pafs  for  Men  ofSenfe  &  Credit. 
Such  would  .iometimes  fpeak  difrefpeflfully  of  him  ; 
and  now  and  then  aZoiLuswould  vent  his  Spite* 
foam  out  his  Malice  and  Shame  -?  while  he  inftead  of 
returning  an  Anfwer  when  advis'd  to  it,  chofe  rather 
to  publilh  fuch  Treatifes  as  were  lafting  Teftimoiiies 
of  his  Religion  <5c  Charity. 

THERE  were  fome   who   alfo  wrote  againfl  hiiii  ; 
but  againit  all  their  Calumnies,  as  St.  IGNATIUS  laid 
he  flood  y/tvr./v,    and  f  aft  asaicaten 


SOMETIMES  they  would  endite  Letters  full  of  gro- 
y  cling  Malice.,  and  lend  them  unto  him  :  He  received 
them  without  Emotion  ot"  Soul,  and  tied  them  up  till 
they  made  a  large  IJundle,  on  the  out  fide  of  wh'ich  he 
•wrote,  Libels  :  Father,  fcrgivs  tJjsm  / 


AND  fomc  have  pullifie,.  1  Books  full,  of  Lies  and! 
Inve  'lives  againit  him  :  1'ut,  as  the  Authors  \veM 
but  little  regarded,  the  ftcuk.<  were  fcs'rce  evcrlook'd 
in.  The  Doctor  took  no  other  Satisfaction  of  them, 
out  jufl  to  write  in  the  beginning  of.tne  Books  :  Job 
xxxi.  ;5,  ;6.  ---Afv  lUiJire  /j—  -  ti.'tt  mine  AJver- 
/arr  /•/>  /  written  a  flook  :  Surely  I  woul<l  take  it  c» 
my  Shoulder  anJ  bind  it  c.s  a  Croivn  to  ms.  He  tho'c 
it  not  worth  his  while  to  write  againft  them,  or  ra- 
tlier  for  himil'lf  ;  but  chofe  once  for  alt  to  give  the 
'World-,  his  Rigi-t  Wc.y  tojbike  off  a  llper. 


66  The  Life  of 

r  I  know  not  here  how  to  ufe  more  fignificarit 
Expreitions  than  thofc  us'd  by  Mr.  BAXTER  in  his 
dying  T'kofi  f  concerning  fuch  as  had  been  Angry 
with  him,  and  could  not  endure  him  to  anfwerthcm, 
and  vindicate  his  own  Innocency  ;  I  fay,  I  know  not 
how  to  ufe  better  Expreliions  of  Dr.  MA  THI.R  with 
refpect  to  his  Enemies,  than  thefe,---  That  c  all  of 
them  together  were  never  able  tofr.Jten  their  Accula- 
tions,  and  procure  any  common  Belief;  nor  to  bring 
Jjim  under  defigned  Contempt  ;  much  lefs  to  break 
Ith  Comforts.,  Encouragements  and  Labors. 

I  ftiall  fpeak  ofbut  one  thing  more,  and  conclude 
this  Chapter  with  it.  The  Doctor  was  a  firm  Tricnd 
to  bis  Country  ;  and  by  Confequence  mult  be  bated 
by  the  Enemies  ofir,  as  he  was  :  For  Ifuppcfe  there 
was  not  one  Enemy  of  our  Country  but  what  pro- 
fefs* <l  open  Enmity  to  Him  *  for  a  great  number  of 
Years  j  perhaps  the  greateft  part  of  his  Life. 

AND  therefore  they  were  glad  of  all  Opportunities 
which  they  might  improve  for  theirAdvantage  #£<?//;/? 
loim ;  and  were  pai  ticularly  pleas'd  when  they  could 
meet  with  any  private  Letters  from  others  to  him,  as 
well  as  from  him  to  others,  which  fome  were  fo  dif- 
ingenucus  as  to  expofe  :  They  were  never  able  to 
bring  about  their  Defigns  :  The  Doctor  was  high 
above  their  reach. 

BUT  becaufe  the  fhowing  of  private  Letters  is  a 
frequent ^actice,  tho'-  *  a  very*barbarotis  and  ungen- 
tlemanly  one,  I  will  take  the  Liberty  to  tranfcribe  for 
the  ufe  of  the  Learned ',  the  Words  of  CICERO, 
in  Marc.  Anton.  'Philippic,  a. 


I  Pag.  zzy, 

*  Jdjionam  I\ito  weff,  P.  C.  Fieri  <Hca,m,  tit  nemo  lit 
jin'.iis  vigmti  Reipub-  Hoftis  fuern,  qvi  von  BelluM 
((idem  TemforA  tnibi  $uo°i  indixerit'  Ciceron-  Philip. 
S'ccuad. 


Dr.  COTTOM  MATHER.  tf? 

jit  etiam  Liters  quas  me  fibimififle  diceret  reci- 
iavir  Homo,  et  human'  latis  e?  t  '  3  cf  vit<?  commii- 
nis  ignarus.  J§)ittienim  unqua»,  ,  quiTai'lum  modo 
bonorum  Confuetudinem  nojja,  Lite/<..:  ad  Jc  ab  Ami- 
Co  mijj'as,  cjfcnfione  alt  qua,  interpofrfli  in  medium 
frotulitj  falamq;  recitavit  ?  Quidkoc  efi  allud^u  -r» 
tollere  e  Vita  Vit<t  .V-  cictatem  >  'Toilers  Amicorum 
Collcquiaabjentium'!  ®uam  mult  a  Joca  folent  ejje  in 
Epiftolis,  qu<e  f-'data  Jifwt  iuefta  effe  vidfuntur  ? 
multajeria,  neq;  lainen  ullo  mvdo  dtvulganda  > 


t 

——  At  ego,  non   ne£o  ;  teq;   in  ifto  ipfo  convinco. 
toon  Inbumatritatisfolumj  fed  etiflto  simentid?;     6) 
enim  Verbum  iu  iftis  Literis  eft,  non  pknu  w  Ifufna 
tatis,  Ojficii)   BencvolsnticC  ?     Omne  antem 
tuum  eft,  quod  de  te  in  his  Literh  non   male  exifti~ 
mem  ;  quod  J  "crib  \m  tanquam  adCivem,  tanqum  ad 
lotium  Virum,  non  tanquam  ad  Scekratum  et  Lairo- 
nem.    At  ego  tuas  Liters  etfi  jure  -pot  er  am  a  ts  la- 
cejjltus,  tamett,  non  froferam. 


CHAP.    IV. 

An  Account    oj    bis  various  Wettings, 

particularly    oj  jome    that    he  has  Printed* 
and  of  oibcrs  that  remain  in   Manufcript. 

HE  Number  of  the  Booksj  \vfjich  he  prin 
ted,  .is   three  hundred  t i^l  r  v  and  two;    and 
and  yet,  as   one  of  the  Greek  Poets  fays   of 
'fcirn  tlT.i  afts with  GO 'Don  kis  fidt,  he  \vrotef hem^, 
as  he  did  M  fftirtgs  with  Eafe.—  On  the  outiide  of 
the   Cilttloirtte  of  his  Works,  which   I  ihall  give  you 
"ac   the  End"of  this  Book,  he  wrote  tha't  Text  for  hh 
'further  E.-   -cation    and  Encouragement,    joh.  xv.  8, 
•i    /;  ny  Father  glorified,  that  ye  bear  much 
•    And  upon  looking  over  the  Catalogue,  I 
F  2  corrld 


*S  'tfbt  Life  of 

could  not  help'  putting  thcfe  t-ivo  Lines  at  the  2nd 
of/V,  in  which  1  acknowlcge  there  is  more  -fruti) 
than  /77/  : 

numsrare  2)ics  Sol  dat  mortalifas  Anno, 
ferdottos  edidit  ilk  Libros. 


z.  Btroaji  I  {peak  of  one  particular  Book,  I  fhall 
make  a  £?/;<?>  vz/  Objervation  concerning  the  Doctor's 
Writings.'  To  prepare  the  way  to  the  Remark,  let 
me  tell  you,  That  Dr.  MATHER'S  quick  '2)  ij  patch  in. 
Reading  was  well  known  to  all  ;  he  would  ride  Toft 
thro'  an  Author,  Curfuq;  peduvi  przverter?  Centos; 
and  yet,  which  was  more  furprizing,  he  always  remem- 
Ifred  the  tnojl  observable  Things  he  read,  was  Majle? 
of  them  and  able  to  produce  them. 

MY  general  Remark  therefore  concerning  m  oft  of 
the  Dodtor's  Writings  except  his  practical  ones,  is, 
That  we  need  not  wonder  to  find  in  his  Books  ib 
many  learned  Allujions  and  References  ;  for  it  is  next 
to  impoifible,  that  a  Man  fhould  keep  from  minting 
learnedly,  and  as  if  he  were  acquainted  with  Author's 
and  their  Sentiments,  when  his  Mind  is  ftored  with 
their  various  Ideas  and  Images,  and  he  is  a  compleat 
Owner  of  them. 

THERZ.  are  indeed  a  Set  of  Witlings,  who  for  Fear 
of  "Pedantry,  and  hurting  a  Period,  would  not  quote 
a  Greek  or  Latin  Sentence,  however  weighty  and 
pregnant  it  may  be  ,•  but,  in/lead  of  the  maffy  SgtiJ'e 
in  the  Expreiliuns  of  others,  chufe  their  civn  ec.iy 
Flvjo  of  Words,  and  gliding  Vacuity  cfTbo't.  Th"us 
theie  Men  tyum  vttavt  vitin  in  confraria  curnint  f, 
to  uiea  Sentence  of  HOUACT/S  \  and,  to  mortify  them 
with  another  Author,  JUVKI^AL  gives  their  Charac 
ter  when  he  fays  of  fome,  Rarus  Sermo  illis  et  mag- 
na  Libido  tacendi  *  ;  which  iall  Sentence  1  would 
tranllate,  they  have  a  great  Guftfcr  faying  nothing. 


Hir.ir.  Sat.  ;. .    *  VT/I-M.;/.  Sat- 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  rf> 

'  .» 

BUT  on  the  other  fide.,  I  muft  confcfs  there  may 
be  a  Fault  in  endeavouring  and  ^training  tor  .jar  • 
fetch' J}  and  dear  bought  Hints,  and  cramming  a 
Diicourfe  with  them.,:  And  therefore  I  cannot  but 
fubfcribe  to  the  ingerracusObfcrvation  ofMr.Tn.  AP»  f, 
That  good  Writing*, as  Clothes }  ought  not  to  be  loaded 
ixitb  fe-ivels. 

BUT  tliis  is  no  Exception  agaioft  the  Doctor's  way 
of  Wilting  ;  for,  fhu'  iiis  Treaties  were  ftucKixitb 
'Je-ivcky  they  were  pot  burthen\l  with  them  :  No  !, 
There  were  juft  eno'  to  render  a  itrong  &  wfy  Splendor. 

I  need  not  fay  any  more'^o  a  general  w.ay  concern 
ing  Dr.  MATHER'S  ft'ritings  j  imee  in  the  44th  and 
45th  Pages  of  his  Manuductio  he  has  hindred  me,  by 
giving  the  "World  a  Deicription  and  Account  of  them. 

3.  I  come  more  particularly  to  fpeak  of  fome  of 
his  -Publications j  with  a  Vindication  of  them,  and 
an  Account  of  others,  together  with  the  Character 
of  fame  prepare  J  for  the  Prcfs,  and  now  in  my  Hands. 

THE   fir/I    Book,    I  fhall  treat  of,    fhall  be  his 
Mn^fu>.li-i  C  11  R  IS  'f  I  Americana, :  A  flpsk  replete 
with  I.iarnin^y  and  excellently  calculated  for  the  Ad 
vancement  ot  true  Religion  ?$  Undefiled  :    A  !Sookt 
in  which  the  good  Names  of  above  fourfcure  Wor 
thies,    who  for  the  Caufe  of  CHRIST  came  over  into 
jhis  Land  when  it   was  a  Wildernefs,    are  confign'd 
ov  "  -vitri  "^^nr^to  late  Poftcrity  :  A  'Hooh^  which 
1  Account  of  the  Actions  &  Sufferings 
together  with  a  true  Relation  of  ma 
ny  remarkable  Providences  in  idling  this  Land,    it's 
gc;3  Schools  \v\&' Inhabitants  :  and, in 
<,   in  which  the  deligns  of  a  Cb-urch- 
//»y,;c//-;.    >^  cxquilltely  accommodated. 


fn  pteti<^   t>i-nm&  femper    7;,7/'i/<« 

v<>fism  >ntf>m  Gemmii,  ttiam  diverfottim  Genenim,  qu.i- 
•uflnm  &  coof'ttt.im,  qnis  lion  riJeirt  pntin.1 
t  r  Jo!'.  Trapp,  ?r;lcdh  Poetic.  'p.  i'34> 


?  Lite  of 

*k  <A 

BUT  I  j3l  rat  r  on  this  occafion  u£  thp  words  of 
jvirW^sop  ?  a-GeUffcieiftan  of  great  Beaming  fk'Piety^ 
a*  well  as  offimfhed  Wit )  who.,  when  an  ^Abridg 
ment  of  this  Hiftory  was  propoled  ifi  an  Aflcmbly  of 
Miqjfters,  faid'*  It  is  a  very  improper  frofofalj  ''Its 
impofiblfto  abridge  it  !  Abridging  if  ivill injure  it. 
^fhere  is  nothing  fuperfluous  in  it  :  Inflead  ofEpitc- 
mixing  it,  you  had  better  regd  it  twice  over  as  I  have: 
No  Min  that  has  a  ReliJ/j  for  'Piety  or  for  Variety 
can  ever  be  weary  of  it.  \  4 

I  have  fcveral  other  Letters  by  me  from  Gentlemen 
beyond  Sea,  which  are  full  to  the  fame  purpofe  :  And 
here,  the  Gentlemen  at  Scotland  will  give  me  leave 
to  declare  it,  that  they  highly  valu'd  the  Performance ; 
and  the  equally  learned  and  modeft  Mr.  MILLAR 
of  faifley  in  particular  will  forgive  me,  iflfpcakof 
it,  'that  in  his  excellent  Book  of  the  'Propagation  of 
£hriilianityy  he  mentions  the  Doctor  as  well  as  his 
with  great  Refpect. 


IN  defcribing  the  Magnalia,  I  mentioned  the  Live* 
in  it  and  their  Number  :  I  may  take  notice  here,  that 
\>y  the  Year  1718.  the  Doftor  had  publiftied  the  Lives 
ofnolcfsthan  one  hundred  and  fourteen  Men,  and 
jnore  than  twenty  Women,  and  flnce  that  Year, 
he  has  printed  Accounts  and  Characters  of  many 
more  ;  not  to  fay  any  Thing  of  the  tranfient  but  ho 
nourable  mention  many  others  have  had  in  the  Doc- 
for's  Tractates. 

BUT  I  may  particularly  {peak  of  the  Life  of  his 
"Father,  Publifhed  in  the  Year  1724,  which  may  pafs 
for  an  Appendix  to  the  \la^nalia  :  It  is  a  very  enter 
taining  Life  ;  was  well  received  in  Scotland,  and  in 
this  Country  •  and  is  worthy  to  be  perus'4  hy  every 
Man  of  Senfe,  Honor,  and  Yertue. 

THE  Doctor  has  given  to  the  World  a  Book  en* 
titled,  'Pfylterium  Americanwn;  the  Defign  of  which 
was,  firft,  to  give  in  Afeetre  an  exaft  and  literal 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  71 

of  the  Hebrew  Text,  without  any  Jingle  of 
Words  at  the  End  ;  and  then,  at  the  End  of  each 
Ffalm,  to  produce  thole  Ittuj:,  ations  of  the  Text, 
and  thofe^>/o«j>  Hints  that:  would  both  enlighten  the 
.Mind,  and-itu/rw  the  Heart  of  the  Singer.  As  for  the 
Ittiiftratory.  part,  no  Man  that  has  any  Va'uefor  Di- 
yinc  Knowlege  can  tind  fault  witu  it  j  and  as  for  the 
metrical  Verhon  foine  preter  it  vairly  to  any  other  ; 
for  as  on  one  hand  it  h.is  no  large  'Paraphrafe,  nor 
yet  any  'JJiminution  of  the  benfe  of  DAVID,  ib 
on  the  other  it  has  no  Occafion  to  felect  improper 
'  for  the  lake  of  a  Khime. 


THE  tDireftions  for  a  Candidate  of  the  Miuijtry, 
which  Dr.  MATHER  has  printed,  has  occafioned  fo 
many  Letters  of  -['banks  and  Complimeritij  that  it 
would  fill  zrol>ii)ine  to  recite  them.  And  indeed, 
(  'jQuis  unqiidm  vifitperavit  ?  )  Who  ever  faid  a 
word  againlt  it  ? 

The  Doctor's  Chriftian  'Phikfipber,  in  which  the 
learned  World  enjoys  a  rich  Treafure,  is  a  celebrated 
l'k-ce  :  An  ingenious  Gentletnan  from  London  writes 
of  it  "  It  ii  tbs  Glory  oj  iSIew-EngUnd,  as  it  is  rbs 
oj  Old. 


Hrs  Ratio  'Difcifliuce   Fratrum  Nov-Ati^loruw, 

(which   Title   he  borrowed  from  COMENIUS,)  has 

had  very  great  Encomiums.-  -One  of  the  moft  tinifh'd 

^Gt'MleMfJi  and  Scholars  in  America,    one   who   was 

born   for  Government    over  Men   as.  -well  as   to  be 

a  Ruler  in  the  Common-wealth  of  Learni;!?,   and 

one   who  il.JDeticium   Hun.ani  Generis,    has   been 

\\  to  write  of  that  Book,  that   f  it  is  a  decent 

oJ  of  Cirufcb-GovernmcHt  ". 


f  have  writ  of  oncror  two  of  the 

s,    which   proiiucea^fcn  the  great  eft  _,.... 

:o,lpeak.  of,  beia^fc  they  were  compclcii 
•"ho't  and  great  Application, 
l:  4  -i 

.-' 


Life  of 

I  will  not  mention  any  ofhisfmaller  Works,  many 
of  which  were  never  delign'd  m  the  compofing  for 
'the  fPrcJ\y  and  therefore  needed  not  that  great  Accu 
racy  as  if  they  bad  :  And  it  was  the  Doctor's  fre 
quent  Wonder  that  thofe  Comfofures  be  wrote  ixitb 
the  leaft  trouble  and  Care,  found  a  fPaffage  into  the 
World,  labile  many  of  kis  elaborate  Compofures  lay 
by  him. 

BUT  yet  in  and  by  thofe  fmaller  Socks  (  which  he 
ever  modeftiy  c'alPd  EJJays  )  he  fhow'd  he  was  in 
Labours  more  abundant yhcdifcovei'd  the  great  Reach 
of  his  T'bo't  and  Compafe  of  his  Learning,  did  a  vaft 
deal  of  Good  and  procured  the  Thanks  of  innume 
rable.  Many  ofthele  have  hadfeveral  Editions  wifh 
'Prefaces  from  Men  of  the  fir  ft  Rank  in  the  learned 
World. 

I  mall  acquaint  my  Reader  with  two  or  three  of 
thofe  (  Treatifes  or  rather  )  great  'Performance^ 
which  he  left  behind  him  in  Manufcript. 

THERE  is  his  An^el  cf  Bethefda  :  a  Book  in 
which  under  every  2)i/etife  there  are  proper,  religious, 
OhriiHan&ftffjneflrfj  for  thofe  who  are  Sick  ;  and  then 
the  mofty/«*/>/e  andeafy  Medicines  collected  frorh  his 
pwn  Knowledge  and  Ufe,  and  from  among  the  moft 
noted  Receipts  and  Experiments  in  learned  Writers. 
This  is  a  confiderable  vplumn,  and  coft  the  Doclo» 
many  Years  ftudy  to  fill  and  emUellifh  it. 

THERE  is  his  Boauergcs,  or  Work  of  the  2) ay  : 
A  large  Treatife,  deiign'd  for  the  promoting  an  U- 
•nion  amongft  iProteJlants>  and  written  with  great 
Care,  long  Observation,  hard  Study  and  a  laudable 
Charity. 

THERE  is  likewife  his  T'riparadifus,  which  was 
fen;:  to  Mr.  WYAT  Book  feller  in  London  in  order  to 
be  publifHcd  :  Since  which  I  am  informed  the  jSook- 
ffllcr  is  'dead,  and  know  not  what  is  become  of  the 
'Manufcript.  It  is  pity  it  ihould  be  loll  :  It  fhow?d 
a  great  Acquaintance  with  ^Divine  and  Hunan  Learn- 
ir,£. 

Hi* 


Dr.  COTT(QN  MATHER.  7j 

His  Goliatbus  dctruncatus,  ha4  as  fad  a  Fate* 
•The  Book  was  written  againft  Mr.  WHISTON  :  Trie 
Jt)efign  of  it  was  to  mow,  that  moft  of  the  Anteni- 
cene  faihe^s^cn  orthodox  and  not  Aiian,  contrary 
to  that  learned  Man's  grols  Miftake ;  It  was  written 
in  an  Epiftolary  \tfay  :  Dr.  EDWAa&a  a  famous  Di 
vine  of  the  Church  of  England  was  bringing  it  into 
the  World,  'and  had  written  a  'Preface  to  it  ;  but,  Dr. 
EDWARBS  dying  when  it  was  upon  the  brink  of  ap 
pearing,  the  Work  was  bro't  to  ajull  Stop,  and  I 
have  not  heard  where  the  Letter  is  difpofcd  of. 

THERE  remains  but  one  more  to  Lc  treated  of; 
and  1'hAt  is  a  Work  the  writing  of  which  is  enough 
.conftantly  to  employ  a  Man,  unlefs  he  be  a  Miracle 
vf'JDHigencethc  half  of  the  'I'hreejcore  Tears  5J?  I'ett 
which  is  the  Sum  of  Years  allowed  us.  I  mean,  his 
liluftrations  of  the  facred  Scripture.  The  Doctor, 
from  an  Hint  given  by  that  verykgrcat  and  learned 
Man  my  Lord  BACON,  begun  this  Work  in  his  t'hirty 
firft  Year,  tho'  he  had  before  fame  Materials  fbr  it  by 
him  ;  and  in  his  fifty  firji  Tear  fo  fmifh'd  it,  as  to 
publilh  his  PROPOSALS  for  printing  it,  intituled,  A 
ne-iv  Offer  to  the  Lovers  of  Religion  and  Learning. 
Ever  ftnce  that  Time  to  his  'Death,  he  was  adding  to 
it  ;  fo  that  now  it  is  judged  to  be  by  far  the  <rreatejl 
•A/naJJinent  of  Learning  ittat  has  ever  been  bro't  to 
gether  to  illuflrate  the  Oracles  of  GOjD.  T  mall  fay 
no  more  here  concerning  it ;  defigning  to  print  Tro- 
fofals  for  it's  Publication,  togetbier  vvitn  which  I  Hull 
give  a  faithful  Defcription  of  it. 

<).  I  mail  have  done  this  Chapter,  when  I  have 
writ  Dr.  FKANKIUS'S  Prefcription  which  Dr.  MA 
THER  learnt  of  him  and  obferved,  that  is,  cc  When 
(C  one  has  projected  any  Thing  that  will  be  evidently 
*f  a  Service  to  the  Kingdom  of  GOP,  he  mould  goon, 
(f  with  a  lively  Faith  in  HIM  to  carry  him  thro',  tho' 
cc  at  the  prefent  he  may  have  but  little  Profoect  of 
f  accompliming  his  Deligus  :  GOD  will  dcubtlefs  do 
r;f  very  wonderfully  for  him  '.'. 

•  - ,  CHAP. 


74  fbe  L*fe  °f 

c  u  A  P.  r. 

* 

Foreign  Honours  and  Corrcf pendencies, 
SECT.  i.    foreign  Honours. 

i.  ~~M^HE  wife  Man  fays,Prov.  XI  -27.  He  <xfo 

•       diligently  (eeketh  Goodprocuretb  Favor  : 

JU     which  Proverb  Dr.  PAT?. ICK   thus  para- 

phrafes,  "  He  that  from    the  Time  he   riles  .ftudies 

*f  nothing  but  how  to  do  Good    mito  others,    fhall 

se  obtain  Favor  &oth  w^h  GOD  and  Man  ".     Doctor 

MA.THER  knew  experimentally  the  Truth  of  this. 

z.  I  remember  the  famous  ZANCHV  in  his  Oration, 
when  ROTANUS  was  made  a  Doctor,  fays;  —  r§)uos 
SDEC7S  prior  promovif,  quit  reuciat  ?  $)uos  iDEUS 
prior  excellentibus  llonis  vero  1)Q&ore  dignis  exofti^t, 
q.uis  fDofforum  Ornamenta  kis  dene^et  ?  And  the  fame 
may  belaid  concerning  Mr.  MATHER  ;  \Vhen  he  was 
worthy  of  the  1)offorate,  why  fhould  not  he  have  it  ?• 

THE  Renowned  Senate  of  the  UniveWity  cf  Glaf- 
goiuf  fenfible  of  his  great  Merits,  in  the  Year  MDCCX. 
prefented  him  with  a  2)offor's  'De^ree,  with  a  'Diplo 
ma  for  it,  and  the  great  Seal  of  the  Acaderay  affix^ 
unto  it. 

IN  the  ^Diploma,  fpeaking  of  the  rugheft  Academi 
cal  Honor,  the  illuftrious  ben  ate  fays  ^  Cum  hoc  Ac- 
ademico  Honors  di^nijimujn  cenfeamus  Virwn  Egre- 
gium  COTTONUM  MATHER,  Evangelii  apud  Sofiom- 
enfes  Anglice  nov.-e  Incoles  'Pr&conem  celeberrimin» 
2)e  cujus  quippe  Vitae  Isifegritate,  j 
et  facrarum  Literarwn  Cognitions .  '  orbi  q:ii* 

dem    literato  conjlet ,    Fatna  fimi  _   fis  nl^  e& 

fcriptis,   iftarum    Virtutum   Tejlib:: 
Earn   Virum  cl,    COTTONUM  M.,  'Tfoftcrali 

in  S.  S.  1'heologia  iDigni-tate  infig'-  i^dic 


H 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHEB 

WHEN  the  'Diploma  was  fcnt  unto  Pr,  MATHER, 
the  moil  excellent  Vice-Chancellor  of  the  I 
wrote  very  kindly  to  him.  I  will  take  the  very  great 
freedom,  to  quote  a  Paragraph  or  two  of  his  Letter  ; 
ff  The  high  Value  (  writes  he  )  the  Univerfity  he»-e 
^  has  for  you,  I  hope,  you  will  no  longer  doubt, 
ee  when  I  tell  you,  they  have  confer'd  the  higheft 
<r  Academical  Degree  upon  You,  the  Doftorate  in. 
:e  Divinity  ;  which  /  am  perjuaded  is  but  what  you 
ff  deferve.  Be  pleafed  therefore  to  receive  your  2>/~ 
cc  plotrirt)  which  could  not  be  fcnt  fooner,  in  regard 
sc  no  fuch  lure  Occafion  offered  until  now.  Sir,  I 
f{  jhall  henceforth  reckon  you  under  a  nearer  Rela- 
ic  tion  to  this  Society,  and  as  one  of  us  ". 

THE  1)ean  of  the  Faculty  alfo  about  the  fame 
time  writes  thus:  (f  Upon  a  Motion  made  in  the  Fa- 
*f  culty  of  this  Univerfity,  that  fonie  Teftimony  be 
tc  given  of  the  Senfe  we  have  of  your  Merit,  it  was 
ff  unanimously  agreed  unto,  that  tneHonor  ofjDoffor 
ff  cf  'Divinity  fhould  be  conferred  on  you.  And, 
tf  according  to  the  Power  they  have  by  their  Founda- 
ff  tion  Charter^  granted  fome  Hundreds  of  Years  ago,, 
cc  They  Iiave  (  difpenflng  with  your  Abience  )  created 
tc  you  'Zioffor  of'ilivinity;  and  having  ordered  your 
f  'Diploma  they  have  figned  it,  and  appended  the 
"  Univerfities  greatSeal.  This  theirDced  is  as  valid., 
f(  as  any  Univerfity  in  Europe  can  make  it  ". 

FROM  this  Time  Dr.  MATHER  had  a  very  intimate 
Friendfhip  and  Correfpondence  with  feveral  Gentle 
men  of  that  Univerfity  :  He  heartily  lov'd  them  un 
to  his  Death,  and  never  fpoke  of  them  but  withTerms 
of  the  greateft  Refpeft. 

AND,  as  the  very  learned  Man  I  quoted  above  fays, 
i.hat  |  tits  fitk  and  Ornaments  of  Zloffor's  Jhould 

ftimulate 


Vslii  cnvetidum  eft,  -ne  quod  n^n  vvll'i:  contingit,  con- 
cntj  ir$ati(]ne  fo/o  Dotforuv*  Titnlo  ftitdianegligatis  > 
fed  daridn  potius  Optvz,  ut  Titvius  ifte,  Ornamentay  ; 
Doftoium  nobis  jint  ftnniili  ad  diljgentius  Jludsndum 
&  faciendum  OjjiciuiH.  Zanchii  Orat  de  Diguitate 
itudii  Th;oiog. 


7f  2^*  Life  of 

fimulate  them  to  An  induftrious  Studying  and 

their  tDutyi  of  this  Doctor  MATHER  was  excedingly 

cjefirous. 

WHEN  he  received  his  ^Diploma  ,  he  immediately 
loofcM  upon  it  as  an  Encouragement  unto  him  in  the 
Service  of  CHRIST  and  His  Kingdom  :  He  rendred 
Thanks  to  Heaven,  and  beg'd  Grace  to  make  fuch  an 
Improvement  of  the  Encouragement  as  might  anivvcr 
the  Demands  of  Heaven  from  him  :  And  he  &t  him- 
felftp  conlider,  Whaf  Sanctity,  what  Gravity,  what 
'Ufefulnefs,  what  Ihining  Abilities  and  'Performances 
the  Church  of  GOD  might  juftly  demand  from  one 
fo  diftinguiftied  above  any  Man  in  the  American  Co 
lonies. 

I  fhall  have  done  with  this  Head,  when  I  have 
told  my  Reader  of  the  pious  Ufe  he  made  of  hisRirig. 

*     •  *     ~, 

SOME  of  the  Doctor's  Friends  advifed  him  to  wear 
his  Signet  jR*>;§;,  as  a  Token  and  Aflertion  of  hi? 
jDoEtorate  in  wivivity,  to"  which  he  was  admitted  as 
above  ^  and  not  to  do  It  from  any  Vanity  of  Orna 
ment,  but  out  of  Obedience  to  the  Fifth  Command 
#wtf,;which  dire6:s  us  to  ailert  the  Honor  of  any 
S)ignity,ia  which  the  Providence  of  GOD  may  Nation 
us. 

THB  Doctor  therefore  would  wear  this  Ring  ; 
and  made  this  Action,  fo  fcemingly  inconiiderable,  a 
great  Engine  of  lleligion. 


Firft,  HE  looked  on  the  Ring 
monition  to  him,  to  do  nothing  be 
of  which  that  w?as  a  Memorial  ;  i 
to  the  Gravity  the  'Bifcretionznd^ 
Vvkh  which  a  jDofforate  ought  alv  i  ittcndcd. 


Secondly  ,  |T  effectually  admon:'' 
his  ZDifcourfe  there  ihoiild   pais   • 
Lips  that  was  mean,  or  not  accord 
Jfifdom,  CoodneCs  and  UJffulneh. 

•"—     • 


Dr.  COTT*OK  MATHER.  77 

thirdly,  THE  fight  of  the  Gold  frequently  ex 
cited  ll'ijbes  and  'Prayers  in  him  of  this  importance. 
May  I  h  .ve  'the  Grace,  the  Gain  of  ivhich  is  better 
than  tbat  of  Gol4  '.  May  I  be  a  Son  ofziott  compar 
able  to  fib  fyM  •  And  on  thcSigwt — May  I  be  pre 
ferred from  fo  provoking  the  holy  LQRZDj  that  if  I 
were  a  Signet  on  his  Right-Hand,  .He  would  pluck 
me  thence  '. 

Fourthly  t  ONE  Original  to  the  Ceremony  of  a 
Ring  for  •JJotttrs  of%Jivinity  was  to  intimate,,  that 
they  fhould  be  ready  to  fer  their  Seal  to  the  Advice 
which  may  be  received  from  them.  The  Doctor  im 
proved  this  as  a  Caution  :  His  Advice  was  asked  on 
many  Occillons  ;  he  would  be  very  considerate,  and 
on  (uch  Occafions  deliberate  and  look  up  to  Heaven, 
deliring  to  (peak  nothing  but  what  he  Ihouid  be  will 
ing  tQJ'eal  it  and  Hand  to  it. 

Fifthly,  THE  Emblem  on  the  Doctor's  Signet  \s  \ 
A- TREE,  with  PfaLr.?.  written  under  it ;  and  about 
it  GL  ASCUA  RIGA  V1T.  The  Cait  of  his  Eye  up 
on  this,  conftaivtly  provoked  him  to  pray,  K«T«  3'y/iw, 
O  GOtDy  make  me  a  very  fruitful  I'ree,  and  belf 
me  to  bring  forth  feafonable  Fruit  continually  I 

5.  THE  RefpecV  which  the  Royal  Society  in  Lon~ 
Je/;paid  him,  did  allo  very  much  encourage  him,  and 
fortity  him  in  his  Ellays  to  do  Good,  white  it  addad 
to  the  fuperior  Circumftances,in  which  he  was  placed 
above  the  Contempt  of  envious  Men. 

'TWAS  in  the  Year  1714.  Ite  received. a  Letter  from 
•the  Secretary  of  the  Royal  Society,  [  RICHARD 
WAr.r.ER,  Efq;  ]  dated  iDecemb.  4.  1713.  in  which  are 
theie  Words  ;  J4.s  for  your  being  chofev  a  Member  of 
the  Royal  Society,  that  has  been  done  both  by  the 
Council  and  'Body  of  the  Society  :  only  f&e  Ceremony 
vf  AH  Admlffion  is  wanting  j  V!hich3youbcingbcyon^ 
+)£fl9  cannot  be  performta. 

^  AFTER 


7  8  I'be  Life  of 

AFTER  this  he  had  fcveral  Letters  from  many  con- 
fiderable  Gentlemen  of  that  Society,  who  always 
Superfcribed  their  Letters  to  him  as  F.  R.  S.  And 
he  was  afTured  by  feveral  of  them,,  that  he  ought  to 
affix  that  Ttfle  to  his  Name  before  his  Wcgjp^ather- 
wife  he  would  never  have  ,done  it. 

BUT  there  are  a  few  in  New-England Vwhoj  as  they 
grudg'd  the  Doctor  any  Honor,  were  fo  very  foolifh 
and  impudent  as  to  doubt,  nay  to  deny  his  Right  uflto 
that  Title :  The  Reafon  they  gave  for  it  was  ;    be- 
caiife  his  Name  was  not  in  the  Lift  of  the  Members  of 
that  Society  :  But  they  are  ignorant  of  it3  that,  altho' 
his  Majefty's  Subjects  irr-any  of  his  extended  Domini 
ons  may  be  a  Felicia  of  the  Royal  Society,  they  may 
not  have  their  Names  in  the  Lift  of  the  Society  if  they 
areabfent  j  which  is  the  only  Reafon  why  theDo&or's 
was  not.     But  if  it  be  faid,  there   are  the  Names  of 
feveral  outlandifi  Gentlemen   in  the  Lift  ;  what  is 
this  to  the  purpofe  ?     They  are  Foreigners  and  are 
allowM  this  Honor  becaufe  they  are  fo  :  whereas  no 
Man  among  his  Majefty's  Subjects  may  have  this  Fa  • 
vor,  unlefshebe  prefent  and  be  formally  admitted.— - 
Several  Gentlemen  of  the  Society  wonder  at  the  Stu 
pidity  of  thofe  People  who  doubt  this,    and  in  their 
Letters  exprefs  their  Amazement  at  it :  I  have  at  this 
Time  in  my  Hand,  Letters  from  Mr.  WALLER,  Dr. 
CHAMBERLAIN,  Dr.  WOODWARD,  Dr.  JURIN,  and 
others  who  give  Dr.  MAT  HER  his  Title,  and  exprefs 
Concern  that  fome  fordid  People  here  will  not  allow  it, 

BUT  the  Doctor  was  very  eafy,  as  well  he  might  ; 
for  if  \ychad  not  the  due  Ttrlc  allov\  ed  him,  he  Sefer- 
ved  it ;  as  his  Chrijlian  ffibilofopber,  his  Curio/a  A- 
mericana,Qy  Letters  to  the  Royal  SoHcrv.  fno-et^i 
with  his  (  unprinted  )  An^el  of  &e *.•;•••  fJa  abundaiitlf  | 
teftify. 

4.  As  for  ZDomefticHonottrs  they  were  compnrat;, 
itutfmall ;  they  honored  not  the  D--  !^r  lu  mut,h  as 
fee  honored 


n  COTTON  MA  --HER. 


5.  I  know  not  how  better  to  difmifs  this  Head 
than  with  a  pious  Tho't  which  the  Doctor  had,  upon 
the  Honors  of  this  World,  and  -a  Name  amsng  the 
Learned  of  the  World.  ** 

THERE  is  (  he  tho't  )  an  accurfed  Idolatry  com 
mitted,,  when  we  take  Notice  of  this  and  that  conli- 
derable  in  any  Jfatt^nd  confider  not  at  the  fame  Time 
the  great  GOD  as  the  Author  of  all  this  Excellency. 
Man  oughc  to  be  look'd  on  as  nothing,  any  further 
than  what  GOD  makes  him  to  be  ;  fo  that  when  we 
fee  any  thing  that  looks  great  ±\&.  good  in  any  Man, 
it  mud  be  with  fenilble  Acknawlegements,  that  all 
tomes  from  G  O  2). 

THE  moft'of  Men  will  celebrate  the  Zepr#**g;tfaG 

Venue,,  the  Condutt  of  an  eminent  Perfon  without  the 
lead  Obfervation  of  our  Maker  in  all  ;  much  lefs  do 
they  give  all  the  Glory  of  all  to  GOD,  and  behold 
M(iny  as  no  other  than  a  Vejfel  chofen  by  the  Gr&ce 
of  G  O  2),  to  exhibit  Comet  king  of  His  own  Glory  in 
the  Points  which  render  the  Man  obfervable. 

Dr.  MATHER  therefore  trembled,  and  was  fill'd 

with  a  Ihuddering  Horror,  at  the  Tho'ts  of  having  a 

great  Ntf»;'-e"'in  the.  World,  or  being  applauded,  ad 

mired   and   mightily  talk'd  of.     The  Kealon   of  this 

Regret  was,  becaufe  he  tho't  thofe  that  fpoke  well  of 

Him,  would  not  have  the  ^Piety  to  look  further  than 

him.     He  was  afraid  bis  poor  Name  ihould  have  fa- 

crilegiouflylodg'd  upon  it,  fome  Regards  that  mould 

be  transfer'd  to  the  glorious  GOD  alone.     Indeed  he 

was  feniible,  there   would  be  no  Iniquity  charged  on 

BT/w  for  the  Sacrilege  into  which  others  fell  :  But  yet 

:ld  it  as  a  great  Infelicity.:  He  reckon'd  himfelf 

Abpy  in  being  the  Objett  upon  which  any  fliould 

illy  terminate  their  Honors  and  Praifes  :  He  W'OH- 

jlly  abhorred  it. 


HE  rejoiced  in  it,  if  any  Lovers  of  'GO  2)  faid  ;  ' 
QO  2)  of  all  Grace  has  difyoftd  rfcat  Servant  of  His 

19 


80  .  foe  Life  of 

to  do  vertuattjly  ;'  or  the  'Power  and  Wifdom  ofGOTl 
have  carried  that  Servant  of  His  well  thro*  La*- 
bors  and^  Sufferings  1  This  was  all  the  Do£or  de-> 
lir'd  :  this  was  all  his  Ambition. 


SECT.  2.    Foreign  Correspondencies. 

1.  T  T  would  be  tirefome  to  my  Reader  to  tell  what 
J.  Correspondents  the  Doctor  had  beyond  Sea  to 
gether  with  their  Characters.  All  therefore  I  fliall 
fay  here  is,  that  he  'had  a  very  numerous  and  extenjive 
Correspondence',  fo  that  I  have  known  him  at  one 
Time  to  have  above  fifty  beyond  Sea  to  whom  he 
was  obliged  to  Ipend  confiderable  Time  in  writing. 

.  2.  Bury  altho'  it  would  be  tedious  to  fpeak  of  all 
he  was  acquainted  with  by  Letters,'  it  will  not  be  fo 
to  name  a/ew  now  Living  with  whom  the  Doctor 
accounted  himfelf  haffy  in  a,  Correffondence. 

I  have  fpoken  before  of  his  intimate  Friendship 
with  many  Gentlemen  of  the  Scotch  Nation  in  the 
lacred  Order,  but  I  muft  by  no  means  forget  here  to 
acquaint  the  World,  that  my  Lord  POLLWL  a  Gentle 
man  of  great  Goodnefs,  Humanity  and  Religion, 
was  pleafed  often  to  remember  Him  :  I  need  not,  1 
fuppofe,  fay  any  Thing  more  of  that  Nation  ;  nor 
any  Thing  of  his  Intimacy  with  feveral  Miniftcrs  of 
the  greateit  Character  in  'England  &.  Ireland  :  3Tis 
well  known. 

THE  very  great  and  good  my  Lord  Chancellor 
KING  will  not  be  angry,  if  I  publifh  it,-  that  he  has 
honored  my  Father  with  his  Letters. 

TH  E  Author  ( if  we  are  not  miftaken  in  the  Author) 
of  the  Mifce llama  Sacra  aHb,  ("\vhichDr.MATHEa 
look'd  upon  as  an  ineftimable  uncommon  Trcafure  ) 
will  not  take  it  amiis,  if  I  kt  the  World  know  he  has 
many  Times  written  fo  the  Doctor. 

Sij 


Dr.  COTTON  » 

Sir  RICHARD  BJLACKMORE   likewife  very 
entertained  and  highly  gratified  the  Doctor  with  his 
s  as  well  as  His  torinted  Compoiurcs. 


.... 

THOSE  learned  Mathematicians  and  Philofophers 
Mr.  WHISTON  and  Dr.  DESAGULIERS,  have  written, 
familiarly  to  him,  and  with  Expreffiens  of  Love  and 
Honor  for  him. 

t  fhail  mention  but  one  more,  who  is  I  fuppole,  ^et 
living,  Mr.  PILL  ION  ERE,  from  whom  he  had  feveral 
Letters:  And  by  the  way,  I  think  one  of  the  Doctor's, 
Letters  to  him  is  printed  in  the  Occasional  fager,  and 
ij  called  a  Celebrated  Letter, 

To  go.  a  little  further  from  Home  and  give  ah  In- 
flancecrtwo  more  of  the  Doctor's  Correfpondencies  : 
From  the  Year  1711  to  his  Death,  he  had  a  free  CorV 
refpondence  with  a  Gentleman,  at  Glaucba  near  Hall 
in  theZower  Saxcny,  a  Gentleman  in  whom  I  know 
not  which  is  greateft,  whether  his  ihining  Gbodnefs^ 
iincere  unaffeifled  'Piety  and  miraculous  Charity  ;  or 
clfe  his  very  great  Lear  nin^\  I  mean  ]»)r.  FR^NCKI- 
tjs  ;  one  of  whofe  pleafant  long  Letters  to  Dr.  MA 
TH  EK.  is  printed  in  'PietaS  Hailenfa. 


HE  has  (by  Reafon  of  that  Value  Dr. 
had  for  him  )  had  alfo  Letters  from  the  ^Dtitiffo  Mifli- 
OHxrizs  at  'Tranquebar  in  the  Eajl-  Indies  ;  arid  not 
very  long  fmce  had  a  particular  Account  of  their  Pro 
ceedings  from  them. 

3.  HAVING  written  before  of  the  Rules  he  obferved 
as  in  other  Things,  in  his  Cvrreftcnacuries,  and  the 
tbefijrtt  of  his  Cultivating  them-  5  I  muft  here  abruptly 
break  off  this  Chapter,  and  proceed  to  another,  in 
which  you  will  lind  the  c*m$lfjte  Cfijriav  and  his 
heaven!?  Life, 


G 


S-  The  Life  of 

CHAP.    VI. 

An  Account  of  tbe  Clrifliin  Lije  and  Pratficc  of 
Piety  oj  Dr.  M  A  T  ti  £  R  •,  in  which  tbe  re  it 
a  particular  Delineation  of  bis  Devotions  and 
Afccticks^  together  with  his  Methods  in  cbfcr- 
vi  ng  bit  private  Fafts,  Thanksgivings,  Vigih, 
&c,  Iti  which  Chapter  you  will  read  the 
Chriftian  ofthehigheft  Rank. 


WITH  Devotion  and  Reverence  I  am  now 
to  write  of  the  CHRISTIAN  :  Gradatim  ad 
Sydera  tollor  :  I  chofe  the  rather  to  collect 
fome  Obfervatiotis  &  cPrattice$  of  Religion 
into  this  Chapter,  that  fo  thofe  who  are  ferioufly  dif^ 
pofed  may  at  once  find  Exemplars  to  copy  after. 

I  muft  confefs  I  have  no  great  AnWHon  for  the 
forc'd  Wit  in  Anagrams,  and  the  like  ;  but  yet  I  can 
not  help  giving  you  eve  made  by  a  pious  Friend  up 
on  the  Doclors  Name,  COTTONUS  MATHERUS  ; 
Anagr.  I'll  Homo  rer  Sanftus  \  which  Anagram  I 


was  the  more  willing  to  recite  here,  becaufe  thisChap- 
ter  is  to  be  the  plain  Englijb  as  well  as  'Proof  of  it. 

•          j 

I.  His  clou  fwg  of  GO  2),  tih  convening  with  HIM 
lus  Refigrnag  unto  HIM  and  his  'Delight  in  HIM. 

i.  ON  a  Day  of  Prayer  that  he  kept,  I  find  him 
aflured  that  all  Controyerfy  was  taken,  a  way.  between 
his  Maker  and  Him,  and  folemnly  renewing  and  fub- 
icrlbing  this  Covenant. 

THE    COVENANT. 

9 

c  I  renounce  all  the  P'amttes  and  curfed  Idols  and 
c  evilCourfes  of  thisAVorld. 

:  I  engage,,  That  I  will  ever  have  the  great  GOP, 
r  my  b£ft  Goody  my  laft  gad  arid  my  only  LORD. 

<  THAI* 


Dr.  COTTO&  MATHER^  $$. 

THAT  I  will  be  ever  rendering  of  Acknowledge- 
f-  mems  unto  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  in  all  the  Ke- 
1  lations  which  he  bears  u  to  me. 

i  AT  I  will  ever  be  Studying  what  is  my  Duty 

5   in  tide  Things  ;  and  wherein  I  find  my  felf  to  fall 

f  ,  1  will  ever  make  it  my  Grief  and  my  Shame, 

.!or  'Pardon  betake  my  ielf  to  the  'Blood  of  the 

I  aft  ing  Covenant. 

(  Now  humbly  iriiploring  the  Grace  of  the  Medi- 
:o  be  fitficient  for  hip,  I  do  is  a  further   So- 
c  ietm.ity  iubicribe  my   Name  with  both  Rand  $.n& 
*.  mi  to  thislnftrihiient  .'    "***• 
is  his   Covenant  he  frequently^   ferkmfly,  Fo- 
inly  renewed,,  and  found  his  Account  in  it. 

1  .  :  -  i         ' 

i.  KAVJNC  laid  this  Foundation,  he  tho't   it   his 
Duty  to  acquaint  himfelf  with  GOD^  to  refign,  him-- 


lf  t;-  I  [IM  and  to  'delight  in  HIM. 

c  how7,  when  Creatures  takS   them 


Vings,    while  Afliiiftions  roll    in  \y5on   us 
--vould  be  therefore  Happinefs  to'  converfe  with  Goi? 
lident  and  to  take  Satisfaction  mHiMj  as  that 
O;.          that    will  make  up  the  Want  of  all  THingc 


.  ,      ..,,. 

•  101  railed  ?.  Queflion,  (  How  can  I  take  inv 

;-.*in  the  AljufficicnfiG  021,  when  my-ln: 
f  in  H;  M-  is  uncertain  ?  Will  not  the  LOR  T>  Irowri  on 
'  4fcy  PreftHftption,  and  fay,  I  have  rejected  thy  Con- 

5  ? 

nfwercd  No'.     For  he  laid  tlife  clown  as  a  cer- 
itl;     that  an  Heart  end  incd  to  converge  withvion, 
)bjert^whofe  slll'itjjidw.v  .makes  up  for  the 
all  Creatures,  is  a  moft  undoubted  Sign  of  aii 
in    GOD:  .He  therefore  *hat    can  do  fuch  a 
may  do  it  without  any  O^ection  and  againft 
.Icuuragemenr  . 

ING  once  Mr.  BOYT.F/S  Serc.pl  ic  J.c-i-c^,  anil 
ng    )me  fublimcStrokes  upon  a  Maii'sRLJKiNiNc 

If,  and  efpeciHlly  ..his    7/7/7,  to  .-the    Goi. 
:\  ;  he  relolved  he  would  (et  apjirfr  a  Tiirn. 
poll'  to   c;ive  up  him  I  elf  and    his  111  LI   ^>tb  ir  i 

c.;  i 


%'•  fbe  life  of 

LORD,  and  fo  to  feek  a  Preparation  for  an  actual  and 
entire  Subtniffion  uato  HIM  in  all  his  Concernments 
Hedidfo. 

IN  his  Papers  I  find  an  Addrefs  of  his  on  that  Occa- 
fion,  which  I  will  give  in  his  Words  as  follows. 

f  MOST  glorious  LORD  !  Thou  halt  offered  I'by 
f  felf  unto  thy  Creatures,  and  often  called  upon  them 
c  to  take  tfbee  for  their  GO  T>.  This,  This  is  that? 
f  which -I  am  willing,  I  am  deiirous,  1  am  refolved 
c  this  Day  to  do.  1  take  (fHEE,  O  •  LORD,  to  be 
c  my  GO  LD3  and  hence  I  take  tky  Glory  for  the  End 
c  unto  which  I  would  be  and  live ;  I  take  the  En- 
c  joyment  of  'THEE  for  my  great  and  fole  Happi- 
c  nefs ;  and,  which  is  the  peculiar  Thing  I  am  now 
c  aiming  at,  I  take  T'by  Will  to  by  my  Will.  As  for 
c  my  <mn  Witt>  LORD,  I  find  it  blind,  foolifh, wicked, 
c  hurtful  j  and  therefore  I  renounce,  reject  and  refjgn 
f  it ;  and  fay  again,  LORD,  let  I'hy  Will  be  my 

*  Will.     I  have  great  Concernments  j  Concerns  as  to 
c  this  World  and  as -to  the  future  ;    They  are  many 
e  and  weighty.      But  O  GOP,  THOU  art    the  only 
e  wife  GOD  ;     There  is    fsrfeEl  Knowledge   w.ith 

•  THEE,  THSU  art  of  great  Tower  ;  Thy   Un- 
f  Jetjlandin?  is  infinite  :  And,  in  that  fweet  Recon- 
f  ciie^  of  GOD   and  Man  the  LORD  JESVS  CHRIST, 
'  THOU  ansBM'enderfuIly  merciful  and  Gracious  unto 
c  them  that  draw  near  unto  THEE,  as  I  do  this  Day/ 
e  Unto  Thy   Wtfdcw  and   Goodnefs  I  commit   my 
'•  Concernments  one  and  all.     I  cajl  all  my  Cares  up- 
f  en  my  G  O  CD.     O  THOU  moil  -it//?  and  good'Gov, 

I  refign  all  unto  Thee.  Is  it  not  Thy  Pleafure 
that  I  fhould  fo  do  ?  It  ii.  And  haft  THOU  not 
Pleafure  in  feeing  me  do  fo  ?  T'HO  U  haft-  I  then 
profefs  intty  Pttfence  ;  All  my  Concernments  are 
put  into  Thy  Hands  awd  left  unto  Thy  Mauage- 
f  tnents  forever.  And  now  I  am  inconceivably  happy  \ 
c  TheLo?.D  GOT>  Almighty  will  perform  all  T'bin^s 
c  for  we,  and  all  Things  no\v  ihall  be  ivell  performed. 
(  Whatever  now  befalls  me  will  be  an  Effect  of  the 
c  great  JEHOVAH'S  infinite  Wijdom  &  Goodnefs.  And 
f  -tho'-it  be  never  fo  really  crofs  to  my  Hiy-ior,-  and. 
(,  c  feemihgiy 


Dr, 

:mngly  croft  to  rr  •£,•  I  will  c£k«  Content- 

mcnt  in  it ;  becaufe  I  will  now  look  upon  it  ais  the 

' 


*•  Will  of  HIM  that  is  infinitely  'wife  and  good;  the 
?  Iff II  of  HIM   rb:it  is  m) 

^  Gou ;  the  Will  ••  a    undertaken  thi; 

4  Conduct  of  all  Arjd,  O   my 

;7,  O  my  Wi  :\  Thou  after  this 

\  to  be  Jiitui  -Hid  alw" 

«'  appro  x  <he  LORD  ', 

BEING  diipoied  and  reflgncd  a?  f ;  >ten;  He 

tanned  Keiblutkms  to  DEUGH^  /"/;  GO  '2),  after  t 


tanned  Reiblutions  to  ;  T  /"/;  GO  '2)3  after 

;cr. 
I  will  i  r#  ever  the  Diff 

*  rwn  Heart,  which  enclinc  me  to  ra! 
'  fort  of 

'  a.  I  v*'A\  vkfs   G01JJ  for  thofe  J$. 
(  thofe  Difpcnfarjons  be  they  rievci    fo  diCii, 

*  which  He  is  cur; 

f   3  count  my   (elf  happy   in   t%e 

<  K-  i  akho'  i  ihould  have  no 

ng  to  give  me  any  Satfcfa&otv 

*  4.  i  will  y 

*  bro;t  inio.i  Cw  -.?  :/9^  as 

. 
' 

<  iy  /Wallov.  eu 

*  6.  1  will 

*  vu 

*  7.  I  . 

- 

. 

r  {  !  be    nr/   ' 

•V:>ys  oi' 
n  withHi  • 

*  L, 


$£  STfo  Lije  of 

a.  CLOSING  with  CHRIST',  Accepting 
Righteoufiiefiy   Lovi»g  HIS  Glory  >  and  Living  by 
Faith  in  HIM. 

T.  I  find  him  one  Day  thus  renewing  his  Clofurt 
with  the  LOR.D  JESUS. 

HE  confidered  that  GOD  had  offered  CHRIST  unto 
him ;  altto*  he  was  a  finful  and  wretched  Creature, 
and  ^&d»/?hewas  Ib  :  And  therefore  it  was  his  Duty 
$o  take  HIM. 

'  HE  then  examined,  whether  there  was  no  Referve, 
that  might  herein  prove  deftructive  to  his  Soul.  He 
fought  unto  the  Loan,  that  HE  would  '  fearrh  him, 
try  him,  fee  whether  there  were  any  way  of  Wicked- 
Msfe  in  him.  He  found  the  Things,  of  which  he  had 
inoft  Reafori  to  be  jealous  were  Wol'Mly  Honors  and 
Carnal  'Pkafures  >  and  therefore  he  thus  renounced 
them. 

(  LORD,  I  give  my  Name  unto  THEE  ;  If  THOU 
c  wilt  have  it  reproached,  I  am  content :  Only  give 
f  me  thy  CHRIST,  and  I  flull  be  fatisned.'  Yea,  I 
c  will  leek  the.Honbr  of  Thy  Name,  whether 'the 
'  Honor  of  my  oivn  be  advantaged  or  prcjjudiied  by 
f  my  doing  fo. 

c  LORD,  if  any  of  my-  ^Delights  are  finful,  or  as 
c.  far  as  they  are  finful  I  utterly  forego  them,  and  be-' 
c  feech  TMEE  to  make  me  abhor  them :  JESUS 
\  CHRIST  my  LORD  is  better  to  me  than  any  of 
6  them,  than  all  "of  them.  If  they  are  lawful,  yet 
c  will  1  leave  them,  when  either  the  Command  or  the 
c  Glory  of  my  LORD  calls  me  another  way. 

AND  he  added,  c  Now  I  believe  the  LORD  is 
e  mine  and  I  am  His :  He  will  carry  on  his  Kingdom 
r  in  my  S'oul  in  fpite  of  all  Oppofitions  whatsoever: 
e  I  leave  all  the  weighty  Affairs  of  it  with  HIM  for 
e  ever  and  ever. 

IN*  Profccution  of  this,  Action  of  Clofing  with 
CHR  1ST,  no  Man  or  Book  ftow'd  him  the  way; 
but  he  tho'c  the  HOLY  SPIRIT  was  his  Teacher, 
and  that  by  HIM  he  was  led  on  to  the  moft  explicit' 
Procedure  in  it, 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  £7 

IN  a* different  Day  from  the  former,  I  perceive  that 
he  uled  fuch  Words  as  tbefe  before  his  REDEK- 
MER. 

c  O  my  dear  LQJU>;  ThyFATHtR  has  committed 

e-  my  Soul  into  Thy  Hands  :  There  is  a  Covenant  of 

( •  f  Redemption  in,  which  1  am  concerned  :   I  i<  now  my 

f  Jzletfioftby  my  t'ocfition,  and   my  Concernment  in 

(<  that  Covenant ,  by  my  being  made  willing  to   come 

*  under  the  Shadow  of  thy  Wings  in  ti:c.  Cvvetic.;.. 

*  Grace.     Now  in  that  ancient  Covevannhz  F 


*  Wherefore  I  am  now  in  thy  Hands,  ()  my  LORD 

*i  Thy  FATHER  has  put  me  rhercpnd  1  ha.ve  put  my 
'•  fclf  there;   O  five  me,  heal  me.  wort  fur  me  and 

*  in  me  the  good  Pleafure  of-thy  Goodnefs. 

AND  a  little  after  1  read  as  follows  ; 

e  LORD,  I  have  been  leaving  my  Soul  with  my 
<  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST  ;  and  THOU  haft  bid  me 
c-  to  believe  1  fhall:  be  laved  by  Hi  M.%  LORD,  I  do 
(  believe  that  there  never  came  a  .  milerable  Snul  ijnto. 
f  CHRlS'r  in  v;iin,  and  t  be  I';  eve  that  1  my  Iclf  i:. 
f  not  find  it  in  vain.  He  will  Jo  threat  "I'lin^  f<u- 
^  me.  He  has'  done  e,noAv  already  to  leave  fie  wiy> 
f  out  any  Caule  of  Repenting  that  1  have'  with  (b 
f  much  Agony  of  Soul  come  unto  HIM.  But-  1  ,'v- 
s  II  eve,  that  he  hath  more  ilill  to  do  for  me.  Hviv:n^.. 
'  beeii  the  Author  he  \\11.1  be  the  I'tuier  of  my 


i.  ONE  fpecial  Chamber  upon,  the  RxfyerittH'. 
his  Life,  was  the  great  and  clear    Application  he 
made  linto  the  Ripjjtectip'ej's  of  C  U  R  JS  ~jf  for 
yuftipQcitiou  before  the  Holy  GOD. 

'I  cannot  well  entertain  my  Readers  with  an  A  J  tide 
of  mere  Importance  ;than  this;  i  wiil-  therefore  f 
iln:    a   few:  Jt'lcff  Tn/fn^es   from   his  Memorials.,, 

of  a  more  tlr 
1  Atcent 


5  jT/j<?  Life  of 

A*  one  Time  he  writes  thus ; 

c  IN  the  former  Part  of  this  Day,  I  humbled  myfelf 
before.the  LORD  with  inexpretfrble  Agony  of  Soul 
for  all  the  Filtbinefi  of  my  Heart  and  Life  :  I  did 
with  Tears  bewail  my  finfulnefs  before  the  LORD : 
and  fubmitting  my  felf  unto  the  Divine  Sovereignty, 
which  might  uncontrolably  make  me  a  Veffel  of 
ZDiJhoncur  and  an  Inftance  of  Qmfufion  :  I  further 
acknowledged  that  the  Divine  Righteoufnefs  added 
to  Sovereignty  had  farther  Advantages  to  proceed 
againft  me,  and  make  me  a  dreadful  Monument  of 
fDiffleafsre. 


e  WHILE  I  was  in  the  midft  of  my  difconfolate  Re- 
?  Sections,  the  SPIRIT  of  the  LORD  caufed  me  to 
s  behold  the  Obedience,  the  Sacrifice  and  the  Suretf- 
'  jhip  of  my  precious  REDEEMER,  as  provided  bv 

*  the  FAT  HER  for  the  Relief  of  my  Diitreffes:  And 
c  that  good  SPIRIT-  caufed  me  to  rely  upon  it :  So 
c  that  I  faid  with  Tears  of  Joy  before  the  LORD  ; 

*  Now  I  know  tbfit  all  my  2)ebts  are  •paid  \  my  GO 2) 
ff  w///  now  make  no  ^Demand  of  me,  but  that   /  love 
c  HIM  and  praife  HIM,  and  glorify  mv  blejftd 

*  S  A  VI OUR  for  ever.     I  know  it !     /  'know  if  / 
c  And  no-no  I  will  do  fo  forever  !    I  can  do  no  ether. 
' 

AT  another  Time  ;     • 

ff  I  experienced  an  unfpeakable  Satisfaction  of  Soul 
c  this  Day,  when  taking  part  with  the  LORD  againft 
ff  my  Self,  I  approved  all  His  La-ivs3  and  abhor'd  my 

*  felf  on  the  fcore  of  my  Contrariety  to  them  and  Vi- 
c  olatiou  of  them  ;    and   I  juftified  all  the   Chaftife- 
e  ments  that  had  therefore   befallen  me  :    And  ^hen 
.*  with    -4  raviihed  Soul,    I  felt    the  LORD  alluring 

f  me  that  His  free  Grace  would  impute  unto  me  the 
e  Ri^bteoufnefs  of  CHRIS?,  and  at  the  fame  Time 
(  imprint  upon  me  an  holy  Difpofition  to  conform 
u  unto  thsi;  Right eoufttefs  in  my  own  Heajt  ^  Life,, 


Pr.  C^TTOfi  MATHJLR,  fy 

AT  another  thus  ; 

c  THIS  Day  my  Spirit  was  exceedingly  diftrefle4 
s  at  the  View  of  my  own  manifold  prefent  and  farmer 
•*  VileneJJes,  which  I  bitterly  bewailed  before;  GOD. 
—  But  I  find  his-HunUi-tiQns  cpncluded  $hus  i 


f  -—AND  yet  after  all  this,  /  do  Believe,  LORD 
Help  my  Unbelief  \  I  Beleeve,  tha,t  my  precious 
'  SAVIOUR  our  Immanutl  hath  fully  obeyed  and 
'  fuffered  Thy  Will.,  as  a  Surety  in  the  Room  of  Sin- 
c  ners.  I  fieleev?,  that  the  RfgbfcyufHefs  of  this  our 
'  Surety  is  ottered  unto  my  Acceptance,  that  for  the 
f  fake  of  it  I  may  become  accepted  with  GOD  I 
f  jBekeve,  that  whenever  THOU  doft  enable  me  to 
c  rely  upon  this  Rt^tct^aejli^THov  doft  immediately 
f  abfolvc  me  from  all  my  GuiUir^efs  r*ad  pronounce 
c  me  a  dear  Son,  a  pis  if  tint  Child,  upon  w  front 
'  Tkou  wilt  fur  ely  have  Mercy.  And  I  Seleevethzt 
*  the  Grcatnefs  of  my  Sins  does  nothing  to  render 
f  me  uncapable  of  this  free  and  rich  Grace  of  Heaven. 
r  O  my  GOD,  in  this  Belief  I  caft  my  felf  at  the 
c  Feet  of  JESUS  CHRIST:  flier  e  will  I  ly  waiting, 
f  iooking,  aiFured  to  receive  thy  Favors.  "  Thus 
this  Cbil'i  of  ABRAHAM  'Beleeved,  and  it  was 
counted  to  him  for  Ri^bteonfnefs. 

3.  IT  was  the  Heaven  of  the  Doctor's  Soul,  This 
he  chofe  and  beg'd,  to  be  made  an  Instrument  of  ex- 
bibitin%  the  Glory  of  CHR  IS'I"  unto  His  People, 
of  inviting  and  inducing  others  to  glorify  HIM. 

HE  received  a  Letter  once,  a  fhort  Letter  from  a 
very  Religious  Man,  which  Uad  tbis  Paifage  in  it. 

c  YOTJ'L  pardon  my  trouLling  you  with  a  Line  or 
l'  two  to  thank  you  for  your  Mafthil,  j_  the  'Title  cfa 
e  Sook  the  "Dottor  had  publijbed.  ]  which  I  t^iafc 
*•'  may  be  called  MiEiam,  as  well  as  MafrJyiL  'You 
e  help  me  to  this  Tho't  ;  How  full  of  Excejler^y  is 
c  the  glorified  Man  the  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST  ; 

Cjf 


so  2fo  Life  of 

c  If  by  His  HOLY.  SPIRIT  He  Co  fills  one  of  His  At*- 
f  mircrs,  that  He  is  enabled  to  fill  a  Book  with  fuch 
*.  excellent  Things  !  K 

Tis  impoffible  toexpreft  the  ikrisfaction  of  Soul, 
which  the  fight  of  this  Pallage  raifcd  in  the  Doctor. 
That  holy  ones,  whofe  Hearts  arefet  upon  glorifying 
JESUS  CHRIST,  fhould  by  any  Thing  of  CHRIST  in 
Him,  be  led  into  the  Contemplation  of  His  Glories  ! 
This,  This  He  looked  upon  as  th,e  higheic  Pitch  of 
his  Felicity  :  He  thp't  of,  he  afpired  unto  nothing 
bigher  than  this  throughout  Eternal  Ages.  It  ra-- 
vimed  him,  when  he  law  the  good  GOD  beginning 
to  grant  him  this  Felicity.  He  defpiied  the  Diadems. 
<)f  Emperors  in  Companion  with  it  ;  and  cried  out 
with  a  Rapture,  greater  than  that  of  Au.cn  MEDES 
1  am  bappy  \  I  am  bappy  :  LORZ>?J4mfivaH9csved 
Extc.fies  of  I'by  Love  ! 


4.  'I  frtall  recite  fo  me  very  finguhr  Methods  of  his 
maintaining  a  Life  by  the-  Faith  of  the  SON  of  GOT)  : 
and,  becauie  it  is  impoffible  to  ufe  Words  more  ex- 
preifive  and  weighty,  I  fhall  chufc  rather,  to  produce, 
t;he  Doctor's  own  Vvro'rds  than  my  own. 

c  HAVING  entertained  aright  and   clcnr  Appre- 
c  henfion  of  my  great  SAVIOUR  ;  and  His   glorious 

*  Perfon,  as.  the   Eternal  Son  of  GOD    incarnate  and 

*  inthroned  in  my  JESUS  being  fomewhat  underftootl 
with  me  :  and  beholding  the  Infinite  GOD  as  com 
ing  to  me  and  meeting   with  me  in  this  blciled  Me-, 
diator  ;  The  Thot^s  of  Him,  are  become  exceeding 
frequent  with  me.     I  count   it  a  Fault,  if  my  Mind 
be  many  Minutes  together  without  fomc  TbWgtos 
that  have  in  them  a,  Tincture  of  Piety  :  But  I  have 
learnt  the  Way  of  interesting  my-VSAVIOUR   in. 
theTho'ts:     And  I  teel  an  Impatience  raifed  in. 
me,  if  I  have  been  many  Minutes  \vithout  fome 
cTbtfn  of  Him.    I  fly  to  Him  on  multitudes  of  Oc- 

f  fions  every  Day,  and  am  impatient  if  many 

*  have  pafTed  without  fome  Recourse  t-. 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER,  91 

*  EVER  now  and  then  I  beftow  a  Rebuke  upon 
f  my  felf,  Why  tiave  I  'been  fo  long  'without  Jorne 
<  I'tio'rs  on  my  lovely  SAVIOUR?  How  ccn  1 
f  bear  to  keep  at  arty  iDiilance  from  HI 3ft  I  then 

*  look  up  to  my  SAVIOUR  ;  O  my  dear  SA  VI 
c  OUR,  2)ra--v  near  unto  me  \  .Oh  :  Come,  do-w 

c  dwell  in  my  Soul,  and  help  nic  to  form  fome  <J 
c  ivbsrein  Jjball  enjoy  THJCE  ! 

c  UPON  this  I  fet  my  felf  to  form  fome 
'  my  moft  amiable   SAVIOUR ,  His  Gloria 
c  rits,    His   'Pattern,    His  Jfr.v/w.^    wha 
f  done,  and   what  HE    vlll   <io  for  us. 
c  Subject  infinitely  nnexhauftiblc,--  And; 
c  been   in  the    jUay  thus  employed,  i   fa, 
e  Nig/it  perpetually  in  the  inidit  of  fome   1 
5  on  the  Glory  of  my  SAVIOUR.  ;  ufually  01 
where  that  Glory  is  mentioned."   So 
l  And  when  I  w.ike  in   the  AVg 

*  o«  w_r  iS*;'-/  fl'ck  Him  that  my  Soul  Jics  j(.r) 
f  in  the  Nig/ir  the,  'JJpjrra  of  %iy  Soul   carr 
?  Him  in  Tho'ts  en  the  Suhj^a:'  v/hich  1  fel 
'  with- 

c  I  find  that  where  CHRIST  comes,    a  v 
c  Light,  Life  and  'Peace  comes  wi^h  Him, 
c.  with   zStr-in+tki  to  go  thro'  Services  and  : 
c  The   Holincfs  and  Ha^n net's  to  which  I 
c.  duced  by  this.  Way  of  Living,  'tis  better 
f  all  the  Enjo'iments  of  thi*s  World,     All  t' 
c  of  this  World  appear  contemptible  Thiu 
f  while  I  have  trie  unfe-nrch^ble  Riches  o 
c  thus  bro't  into,  my  Poilelfipn,     And  all 

*  this  World  \vouid  not  encline  me  t' 
s.  way  of  Living, 

f  NOW,  OmyVear   JESUS,-I_kn<. 

s,  an  internal  tyitmfs,  t/jat  :f  HO  U  ar 
f  ofGOV  and  the    'SAVIO  UR  oft 

c  CONGER  NINO  this  Matter  I  have  ha, 
f  plation  \\hich  had  a  moft  melting "EfHca 


life  of- 

\    t?j*  CtiW*t  &f  u/.?r,v,.  which  was  the  SH»- 
v  CH{NAK    that  hadv.  v*hh  the  An- 

:n  it,  came  down  and 
''ul  Spefi. 
raife  in  th« 

;    2 

•'"  M-ph  ;  dcvi.ri  Co  'IK,  lc    of 

••*  the  me-  >d  coitly   ia 

•>ur  .wv  .     nes   into    ail 

omunualJy  i  tforming 

.;n.';  u.     f'cit    Dy  O 

thy  SAV  HJ  is   HL-; 

:ind  /ea  at  the  C.  He 

e  in  unto  Thee  1     A  T»mplth  filled  with 

y  of  the  LOR'J).  ii   unfccn  to  the   fta  triers 

?&lcod.~-  ri  of  the  pious 

.  kid  wit?   (IHR  IS  ')1D  :  it  is  an 

Z(,  '->OD  fees  th  .le   wit!*. 

re.     The  SAVIOUR    who  kvoixetb  all  I'toing* 

fed  with  the  fight.    His  Angeh  make 

c  this  important   Matter,  yet 
i  (hall  be  more  pwn<5lual   and  ; 

-,oid  tht.  '  •'.  X>D  in  Hi.s  Eternal  SON 

^  tl'K-.  M^n  JESUS,  into  luch  an  intimate  and 
i  Him,  that  in  my  SAViouJsT 
•e  3  ,,nei  AMA.N,  who  has   tis* 

f{£.A?J 


I  behold  all  po 
.•happy  Return  of  jW^«  ani 


•  f<»»  to  ieek 


,.my  SAVIOUR  is  very  GOD^  and  my 
i  Joy   in  Him  is  all  animated   from  that 

ij,  Seeing  one  GOD  \v: 

.ITj,  who  thiro'  Hun 


Dr.  CoifTOfcf  MANSER. 


themfelvcs  to  me,  I  conflder  my  felf  as  coming  to 
GOD  in  Him  and  converting  with  the  whole  GOD- 
HEAP  in  rny  more  immediately  having  to  do  with 
Hiw. 

f  THE  firll  Thing  I  do,  is  to  accept  the  Offers 
which  this  wonderful  SAVIOUR  makes  to  me  of  be 
ing  wine  and  bringing  me  to  GOD.  I  hear  Him 
gracioufly  offering  to  make  me  Righteous  &  Holy± 
reconcile  me  to  GOD,  quicken  me  to  Live  unto 
Him,  and  work  in  me  that  which  fa  all  be  well-pka- 
Jifig  before  Him-  I  feel  Him  fo  apprehending  of 
me  that  He  difpofes  and  enables  rne  to  give  an 
hearty,  joyful,  thankful  Confent  unto  thefe  jPro- 
pofals  of  Grace  ;  and  in  confentingtothem,  I  enter 
tain  a  Comfortable  'Pcrfivafton  of  my  kind  Recep 
tion  with  Him  ;  I  think  it  my  Duty  to  be  well 
)  that  He  ivill  furely  do  me  Good.  * 


c  AND  now  what  remains  is,tfaatas  \  •ivorfiipGQ'D 
in  the  Spirit  ,k  I  may  rejciceia  CHRIST  JESUS. 

f  WHEREFORE  in  the  firft  Place  I  ask  it  of  the 
glorious  GOD  with  the  Importunity,  that  having 
CHRIST  concerned  fur  me,  I  may  alto  have  HSM 
P°flWn%  of  me  ;  That  I  may  have  Skill,  Will  and 
Help  from  Heaven  to  cower]  e  with  HIM  conti- 
nually  ;  That  I  may  be  fo  wcl]  of  it  as  to  keep  con- 
tinuaily  calling  HIM  into  my  'l'l}cu^bts,  and'feeding 
upon  HIM.  1  have  declared  unto  the  LORD, 
that  if  HE  would  grant  me  tbi\  Felicity,  I  cajcd 
not  what  befel  me  ;  I  am  willing  and  ready  to  £n- 
counter  any  Thing  that  HE  ihall  plcafe  to  ordor 
for  me. 

c  Mv  Life  is  full  of  Sacrifices  :  But  that  which  car- 
ries  me  well  thro'  them  all  is  this  Confideration  ; 
That^7?//fi  I  have  CHRI&Tj  have  enough  ;  lea* 
re  Joyce  in  HIM  while  I  have'  nothing  elfe  left  unt9 
me  :  '  4  • 

'  By  thefaithfulQifpemationsoT  GOD  I  bave  been 
brought  to  this,  That  I  feel  my  felf  dead  unto  all 
Creature:,  I  have  employ  *d  the  Sacrificing  Stroke 

f  upon 


Life  of 

*  upon  all   my  Enjoyments,     My  Serviceable*; 

*  the  Kingdom  of  my  SAVIOUR  was  the  /*/£  !/ 
'  that  in  t»y  Ih'ttb  to  nil  Things  fare  be  tow  I  r 
(  with  ;  The  Thing  which   I  could  Icaft  of  al 

c  vrithj  But  this  *B*rUn£$  which  1  would  fain  have 

6  hzdfavcd  from  tfcs' Waiver  of  t be  Z)og,  I  have 

e  Sacrificed.     I  have  lubmitted  unto  it  that  the 

f  Blelled  ONE  fhoiTJd  riot  only  make  me  vile  :  • 

c  His  People,,  but  alfo  utterly  lay  me  aiide  frcr 

c  ing   any    more   Services  for   His  Kingdom  in  the 

*  World.  —   I  have  been  entirely  dead  unto 
Thing   elfc,   and  have  had   nothing  but    ti 

'  9lbli»£  left  unto  me,  'float  I  may  have,  my  JESUS 
f  not  only  doing  for  me,   but  aljo   dwelling"  i 

*  and  enabling  tne  -perpetually   'to  feed  and  Hi: 

f  HIM.     This  will  be  cntugl:.     I  care  not  if  Iain 
'*  ftript  of  every  Thing  elfe_,  if  I  may  but   enjoy  this 

*  Felicity. 

f  Ifc  pursuance  of  this  Felicity,  'tis  not  esfy  for 
c  me  to  delineate  or  enumerate  the  Jlfetbcds  6 
f  verfmg  with  my  only  SAVIOUR,  wherein  I  have 
'*  been  iKflrucT:ed  of  GOD.     And  it  is  im point-' 
f  me  to  exprefs  the  Sgtisfeftion  that  irradiates  and  re- 
c  plcnifhes  my  Mind  upon  the  Difcoveries  of  any 
c  Metht-ds  for  it.     No  Affluence    of   any  Jf"< 

*  Wealth,  nOj    nor  any   Advances   in    any  Sc- 
c  could  fo  tranfport  and  ravilh  me  / 

'THE  BlefTednefs  of  the  -Heavenly  tilrlJ  lies  in 
e  our  being  with  CHRIST;  and   by  being  '•jcith 

*  the  LO  R%),  and  beholding  His  Glory  in  pr 

s  Thoughts  of  HIM  here/ 1  apprehend  my  ielfevea 
(  in  jfeavert  upon  Earth  :  And  indeed. the  Li^ht  and 

*  Teace,  tistJqyiSitcti£tb  and  'Puriry  with  r 

*  it  fills  my  Mind  carries   a  For ttf.fi  and  Ean 

*  Heaven  in  it. 

f  I  foar  up  to  an  ihexpreftble  Contemplation  on 
<  my  SAVIOUR,  as  the  WiJ'dom  of  G01),  who  is 
(  the  j4rcketyfe  of  the  -whole  Creation,  and  in  w 
c  there  are  the  original  Ideas  of  all  that  is  prod'. , 


Dr.  COTTON  MiTHteR  $5 

by  His  Hands   in  the  World,  even  that  Platform 

*  and  Subjlance,  of  which  all  Creatmes  are  but  the 
c  Iflues  and  the  Shadows. 

c  I  am  hence  wondroufly  reconciled  unto  my  .ap- 
'c  preaching  'Death,  inasmuch  as  going  from  Creatures 
c  here,  1  go  to  Him  in  whom  1  fhall  find  all  that 
c  1  leave  and  infinite!  y  more. 

c  IN  the  mean  Time  I  am  fure>  that  whatever  I fLa.<i 
r  amiable  or  comfortable  in  anyCreatures  here,  is  much 
r  more  to  hi  found  in  Him. 

£  HENCE  when  I  fee  any  Thing  that  is  amiable  in 
c  any  Creatures,  1  commonly  fly  away  from  them  to 
(  my  SAVIOUR  and  think,  Ifo-w  great  is  His  Good- 
e  ncfi  a/jJ  bis  2jettuty  I 

(  WHEN  I  find  any  Thing  that  is  comfortable  in 

f  any  Creatures,  I  commonly  haften  away  unto  oiy 

£^AviouR,and  think,  What  'Benefits,  will  flow  fro** 

c  Him  to  me  ? 

^  UPON  the  withdraw  of  any  Creatures,  or  when 

*  any  defireable  Enjoyments  are  witheld  or  taken  from 

*  me,  I  think,  ffihatts  if  that  would  recommend  theft 
'  Things  unto  me  ?     And   1  prefently  find  my  SA- 
c  VIOUR.  comtncndeii  unto  me  by  fuch  and  more  de- 
f  fireable   Qualities,     in  his  being  mine  1  find   every 
c  Lofs  repaired  abundantly  !     Dead  unto  every  Thing 
c  but  my   SAVIOUR,  I  thus  exprefs  my  Sentiments  ; 

FOR  .the  ^Delights  of  this  World. —   Such 

as  {  taitin  the  mere  Tendencies  of 
I  would  in  the  Taite  of  them  think,  The  Will 
GO'Dy  esfrejfid  in  the  Nature  of  His  Works  is  thi^ 
complied  with.  But*  Ob*  What  pall  I  find  in  the 
/« finite  GO 2)  fBmfelf  upon  my  going  back  unto' 
Him  :-'—  Thofe  2)elights  tVhich  are  moft  helpful 
to  me  in  feeing  and  ferving  ofGOt)  are  tlio^e 
which  I  would  have  the  moil  Value  for  :  And  even 
f  for  my  Food  particu^rlv  fliall  be  !•» 
*  re 


yf  tffte  Life  of 

c  regulated. —  But  I  know  of  no  {Delights  compare- 
f  ble  to.  thofe  which  I  take  in  Communion  with  my 
c  SAVIOUR. 

e  FOR  the  Riches  of  this  World. —  I  ufe  Ho  Labor,, 
e  I  have  no  iDefire  to  obtain  temporal  Riches  :  They 
f  appear  to  me  very  contemptible.  My  Riches  are 
f  my  Opportunities  to  do  Good,  and  thofe  Ilium ina- 
'  tions  of  my  Mind  which  furniih  me  for  it.—  In  my 
c  SAVIOUR  I  have  unf ear  doable  Riches,  and  in  my 
e  Fruition  ofHiml  have  a  fullfupply  for  all  my  Wants. 

f  FOR  the  Honors  of  this  World.—  My  Abhorrence 
c  of  having  the  great  GOD  robbed  on  my  Account, 
c  by  People  gazing  en  we  without  being  led  thro* 
me  ro  Him,  renders  all  the  Honours  in  the  cPraife 
of  Men  very  diftafteful  to  me.  I  do  nothing  to  gain 
Honors  for  my  felf  ;  and  if  I  do  fecure  any  Thing 
of  Efteem  or  of  Station,  it  fhall  be  purely  for  the 
Intereft  of  GOD.—  If  I  be  accepted  with  my  SA 
VIOUR  and  employ'd  in  Work  for  His  KingdomynA 
have  His  Image  imprinted  'on  me  :  Here  ar6  all 
the  Honors  that  I  wifh  for. 

c  I  go  over  the  affliffive  Things  with  which  my 
Life  is, all  embittered  (  and  I  make  the  fame  Salleys 
towards  CHRIST  upon  the  Arrival  of  any  mix 
j4ffliilion  )  I  repair  to  my  JESUS  :  I  realize  not 
only  His  Hand,  but  alfo  His  Love  in  fending  the 
Trouble.  I  fee  my  SAVIOUR  once  'enccuntring 
the  fame  trouble,  and  I  am  heartily  pleas'd  at  my 
Conformity  to  Him.  I  fee  how  patiently  and  with 
what  Views  He  bore  the  Trouble,  and  I  wlili  to  be 
like  Him.  I  confider  what  is  that  Goqd  which  this 
Trouble  deprives  me  of,  and  I  fee  the  fame  Good, 
and  what  is  infinitely  better, laid  up  in  my  SAVIOUR; 
and  I  am  fatisfied.  TheTho'ts  of  my  SAVIOUR  I 
forever  find  fweetning  the  bitter  Waters,  of  Mitrak 
to  me.  I  find  Him  the  Comforter  that  always  re 
lieves  my  Soul,  when  I  have  Him  near  unto  me. 

f  HOW 


3Dr. 

f  HOW  many,     O  £OR2)y    ar*  the    tfbo'W, 

*  which  I  form  in  my  Mind  concerning  THEE  !  The 

*  Occafions  on  which^the  Contrivance*  with  which^I- 

*  cherifh  the  'I'ho'ts  ctwnot  l>e  reckoned  u    in  Order- 


,r  WnfeN  I  fee  any  Thing  excellent  in  any  Matf}  it 
leads  me  to  tfho'ts  on  the  fupcrior  Excellencies  irt 
my  SAVIOUR. 


fr  Ttife  ghiaUttes  oFthe  various  Jlnimah 
happen  tohave  before  ine,  put  me  in  -Mind  of  the 
admirable  Qualities  by  which  my  SAVIOUR  is  en-- 
deared  umo  me. 


.  People  miferable  ih   any   Pcintj  ic 

raifes  in  me  fomeZ/b.o'/J  on  the  Miferies,  from  Mftch 

*  I  am  delivered  by  my  SAviovR^and  my  Q&ligatio/rt 
r  to  my  Uelivcr'eri 

r  WHAT  arc   the  Ufes  of  my  'Ga'rinenti  to  the 

*  Tarts  that  are  covered  with  them  ?     Of  fych  UJes> 
f  is  my  SAVIOUR  to  my  Spirit.,   with   the   f&ots   of 
f  which  I  have  adored  Him. 

*  WHAT  is  there  in  the  tDie'ts  cf  myTabktp  reh- 
c  der  them  agreable  unto  me  ?  jifielagcn^Prs.per-- 
f  ties  I  difcern  in  my  SAVIOUR  ;.  and  the  2/boVf1 
c  thereof  give  me  an  exquiiite  B.elilK  of  Him;. 


c  I  durft  r».ot  let  my  Mind  ly  fallow  as  I  walk  the- 
Streets.  I  rebuke  my  fcl(  with  heavy  CoinpL; 
(  anil  J make  my  Moan  to  Heaven  )  if  1  have  i; 
•many  fteps  without  fome  ftruggle  to  pull  clown 
the  Tbot's  of  my  SAVIOUIV  into  my.Souh  I  hav^ 
compelled  the  Signs  in  the  Streets  to  point  me  unto 
fomething  in  my  SAVIOUR  that  Ihould  be  tbo'l 
upon.  When  1  have  been  at  a  lofs  for  fre'K  'jTho'ts 
on  Him,  it  has  been  but  calling  my  Eye  on  the 
Shops  of  either  iide>and  from  the  fortifies  in  them* 
I  have  had  fomething  df  uiy  SAVIOUR  fuggeiled 
unto  me. 

Hc  fi  n« 
A-*  in 


j>8  STfo  Life  of 

f  ENQUIRIES  after  News  are  made  with  Frequency, 
(  with  Eagernefs  :  I  am  grown  very  Cold  in  fuch 
(  Things  :  My  Concern  for  them  and  Heafure  in 
r  them  is  very  much  extinguilhed.  Some  »cw  SvtoV? 
f  of  HIM  Oiall  be  the  News,  after  which  I  fhall  b« 
r  ftill  moll  enquiring.  Here  I  have  my  Curiofity 
:  gratified  a  thoul'and  Times  more  than  in  the  News' 
c  of  the  common  Occurrences  in  the  World. 

f  I  ha"ve  fomerimes  an  Expectation  of  fome  Satis- 
'  fatfion  arriving  to  me,  and  a  little  of  Strength  and 
f  Impatience  in  it.  .  I  retund  it  :  I  have  done  expec- 
c  ting  aay  good  Things  from  this  World  :  My  Th^ts 
6  ufuJly  are,  What  is  the  Good  of  that  which  I  tx- 
f  pctt  ?  O  my  Soul,  All  of  this  Good  I'bou  haft  $}~ 

*  ready  in  thy  SAVIOUR. 

f  I  have  in  my  Study  a  very  eafy  Chair  :  When  I 
f  am  going  to  repoiemy  felf  in  it,  it  is  a  common  Re- 
c  flection  with  me,  Return  to  tby  Reft,  O  my  Soul -, 

*  O  My  JESUS,  Tbott  art  the  Reft  of  my  Soul. 

f  ON  the  LORD'S  Day  I  w.ou,ld  enter  into  the  Reft 

*  cf  GO'D.     That  I  may  Sabvc.tize  aright  I  hear  my 
c  SAVIOUR  inviting  of  me,  Cone  unto  me,  and  I  will 

givs  you  Rclt.  On  this  Day  I  try  to  make  a  par 
ticular  Application  of  that  Invitation.  1  get  my 
Mind  filled  this  Day  wk-h  as  many  Iho'ts  of  my 
SAVIOUR  as  may  be  :  Which  jf/V/r.?  in  general 
havj;  a  Tendency  to  convey  a  fweet  Reft  unto  the 
e  Soul  that  entertains  them.  And  more  particularly, 
c  if  I  happen  to  tt.ink  of  anv  Thing  that  may  be  un- 
(  eafv  to  me,  I  prekntly  feek  a  ivveet  Reft  for  my 
f  Soul  in  JESUS  CHRIST  as  being  and  as  doing  what 
c  will  be  a  Relief  of  thiit  Unce.fiml\.  Yea,  1  iinne- 
f  times  now  call  an  Eve  on  the  untomfoft$l-}t  'T'/ittzs 
f  which  give  a  Diiruibance.ro  my  Hrfl  ift this  World, 
f  on  purpofe  that  I  may  immediately  take  my  1  lights 
f  to  iboicthing  in  CMR  iST,that  Ihall  i~ho\v  me  a  plcti- 
t  t'.'ous  Redemption  from  them.  So  7  rejoice  in  the 
<  LOR®  agai»&a&wt  and  fo  liind//x>^/?  «• 

*  gloricus.  '  F 

• 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.'  $9 

r  EVERY  Day  I  find  in  myfclf  fuch  Imperfe&ions, 
Infirmities,  Ahj  carriages,  as  caule  me  to  humble 
and  nbbor  wy  fell'  before  the  LOR  P.  Now  1  em-1 
ploy  myownHumiliations  for  Scaffolds  from  whence 
I  v  ouid  raife  the  Praifes  of  my  admirable  SAVIOUR. 
Whatever  1  fee  mean  &vile  in  my  felf,  1  would  pro 
ceed  from  thence  to  think,  how  much  the  Reverfg 
of  this  is  to  be  teen  in  J  ESUS.  From  the  -Loath- 
ing  of  my  feif  I  would  pafs  on  to  the  Loving  of  my 
SAVIOUR.  And  fo  among  other  Confequences,  1 
fhall  alfo  affect  my  felf  with  the  only  Rigbteoufnefi 
which  I  have  to  plead  that  I  may  be  jujlified  before 
f  GOZ>. 

.  c  THE  'Pagans  had  their  many  gods,  and  for  one 
r  Bleffing  they  hop'd  from  one  of  their  gods,,  for  ano- 
€  ther  from  another.  Now  all  the  Glories  which  I 
c  find  them  dividing  among  their  many  gods,  I  aicribe 
*  unto  my  SAVIOUR  who  is  the  true  GO  2)  and 
e  Eternal  Life  ;  and  look  for  every  Bleffing  from 
c  HIM  alone. 

e  IN  my  converfing  with  my  SAVIOUR,  I  go  thro' 

c  many  Portions  of  Scriptures  which  tejlify  of 'Him  ; 

c  especially  the  'Pfiilm,cm ploying  a  Verje  or  a  Clrtfe 

'  at  a  Time  for  the  Subject  of  my  Meditation,  whtn 

c  every  Night  I  fall  cflcep  in  JESUS.     Now  the 

c  'Pj'flims  are  filled  with  'Prayers,  wherein  i  find  my 

c  Condition  fo  fuited  that  I  cannot  exprefs  it   better 

before  the  LOR  D.     But  when  1  prefent  fuch  'Prayers 

unto  the  LORD  it  proves  a  vaft  Encouragement  and 

Confolation  unto  me,  and  therein  I  maintain  a  mo  ft 

fweet  Fettowjbipy'tiati  my  SAVIOUR,  when  1  think  ; 

*T&is  very  'Prayer  ivets  once  pref'entrd  i-\  >nv  S  A- 

VIOUR  unto  HIS  Eternal  F AflLER  :    My 

SAVIOUR    once  pray'd  at  ///>  Rate  &  jw.l 

Acceptance:  I  pray  but  as  my  &  At'  IOU  R  taught 

me   and  a^  H  E  did  before  me  :     Certainly  fucb  a 

"Prayer  will  be  grateful  unto  GOfD. 

f  Finally,  IN  my  admirable  SAVIOUR  accomplifh- 

ing  an  Ettr»*l  Redemption  for  us,    I  fee  glovious 

Hi 


9%e  Life  of 

f  Tranfadlions  and  Occurrences.  Now  I  am 
c  tous  to  feel  the  Power,  the  heavenly  Tower  of 
c  thefe  Things  upon  me,  that  I  may  come  into  an 
c  hv\y  Fellowship  with  them,  and  with  Him  in  them. 
c.  Thi*  I  take  for  a  I'oke*  to  me,  that  my  SAVIOURS 
f  has  been  concerned  for  me  in  thefel-a ti  of"  his  potent 
c  Mediation.  . 

c  I  fee  GOD  becoming  a  Afa»  in  my  SAVIOUR,  I 
c  feel  the  fewer  of  it  in  my  returning  to  GOD  and 
c  meeting  with  Him  in  my  SAVIOUR. 

c  I  fee  my  SAVIOUR  leading  an  hid  Jen  Life&nd 
c  palling  thro'  obfcure  Circumftances  while  Hefojour- 
f  ned  among  us  :  I  feel  the  'Power  of  it  in  my  being 
(  willing  to  have  my  Walk  with  GOD  carried  on 

*  with  all  poilible  Concealment  upon  it. 

c  I  fee  my  SAVIOUR  doing  illuftrious  Miracles 
f  upon  the  Children  ofMcn  in  their  Diftrefifes  :  I  feel 
c  the  'Power  of  it  in  my  own  Experience  of  the  Z)i— 
f  vine  Works  upon  my  Soul,  ahfwerable  to  what  was 
e  in  thofe  ancient  Operations  of  the  LORD. 

c  I  fee  my  SAVIOUR  dying  for  my  Sin,  dying 
(  on  the  Cro(s  :  I  feel  the  fewer  of  it  in  the  ^Death 
c  of  my  finfulDifpofitions,my  laying  unto  Creatures, 
f  my  having  for  tkis  World  the  Sentiments  of  a  Man 
c  hanging  upon  aCrofs. 

•  I  fee  my  SAVIOUR  in  His  Refurretficn  trium- 
f  phing  over  the  'Powers  offDarknefs,  and  entring- 
f  into  a  New  Life  wherein  HE  lives  J or  ever  more  : 
(  I  teel  the  fewer  of  it  in  my  riling  and  getting  up 
f  out  of  my  Lifelefs  jDarknsfS)  and  my  coming  into 
f  a  New  Lif?>  wherein  1  lhall  purfue  the  Deiigns  of 

*  PIETY,   quickntd  with  an   Everlafting  frincifle 
f  of  it,  to  which  I  was  once  a  Stranger.  " 

THIS   may   be  enough  to  illuftrate  tbt   W^ 
Living  in  which  the  GOD   of  all  Gra 
Dr.  MATH  so.  to  proceed,'  In  this  Way  • 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER,  i»i 

• 

!^c  waited  to  fee  what  his  SAVIOUR  would  do 
for  Kim  :  Thus  leaning  on  the  Beloved  of  his  Soul 
He  would  go  up  from  the  Wildernefs  of  this  World. 

3.  H  -K?   Occafional   thoughts  and  Ejaculatcry 
fraysrs, 

'  i.  THAT  Dr.  MATHER  might  walk  in  the  fear  of 
tl-»  LORiD  all  fne  Way  long,  his  Mind  was  continu 
ally  converfing  with  GOD  and  preparing  for  Heaven/ 
ip  Occafional  Prayers  and  Meditations.  His  Opinion 
and  PerfuafioH  concerning_/«f/b  fao'ts  was,  that  while 
fie  was  forming  of  tftem  He  was  direclly,  nearly, 
fweetly  anfwering  the  Grand  End  of  his  Lite,  which 
is  to  Glorify  G0£)  and  acknowledge  HIM;  ThttHe 
was  alfo  therein  Tt&ifyinz  his  Soul  and  ripening  it 
for  the  Employments  and  Enjoyments  oi  "the  Heavenly 
World  i 

Ismail  now  tell  you  fame  of  the  Rules  which  H« 
prefrribed  unto  Himfelf  to  awaken  the  2"7?oYr 
and  'Prayers  of  a  Religious  Mind  on  the  Occafions 
which  frequently  occurred. 

WHEN  He  heard  a  Clock  ftrike.  He  could  not  help 
thinking  and  wi|h|ngj_  that  He  might  fo  .number  his. 
SPays  as  to  apply  his  Htart  to  Wtjdom  ;  and  that  H;e 
might  fo  Ipend  every  Hour  as  to  be  able  to  give  a  good 
of  it. 


A?  the  Winding  up  ofhjs  Watch,.  He  blefs'd-.Goa 
£>r  another  Day  and  defird  He  might  fpend  it  in  Lu 
deavours  to  glorify  HIM. 

WHATEVER  Comfortable  'jfyings  He  Taw  any  other 
Perfon  enjoy  He  took  the  Comfort  of  it,    adored  the 
"';£/}  oj  'IfeaveH  a.r.d  wifhed  for  a  right    Imp/out- 
)f  it. 

Life  was  fall  of  Services  :    but  on    every  v#g 
culd   diflinctly  confider  how   to  do  it  out   of 
H  3  OK- 


tot  Tfee  Life  •/ 

Obedience    to    GOD,     how    to  glorify  and 
CHRIST,    how  to  imitate  HIM,  and  after  all  what 
AH  unprofitable  Servattt  He  was. 

WHEN  He  difpenfcd  Kindnefs  to  any  Perfon,  He 
would  at  the  fame  Time  lift  up  a  Prajer  for  them, 
that  -they  might  not  be  unmindful  of  iuch  Duty  to 
HIM  a*  thro'  this  Kindnefs  they  might  be  invited  to. 

HE  had  oftentimes  an  Opportunity  to  exprcfs  a 
Benignity  to  Bruit  Creatures,  eithrr  to  feed  them  or 
make  their  Condition  eafy  to  them  :  He  would  do 
it  with  Delight  and  raife  two  Meditations  uoon  it. 
"  lam  now  the  Instrument  of  GO  2)  unto  tbije  Crea 
tures  ,  HIS  KindnefspAJfes  thro*  my  Hands  to  them  : 
And  iviif  not  the  blcfled  GO  2)  be  as  beneficent  unto 
me  as  I  am  unto  thefe  Creatures  ?  especially  if,  as 
they  look  unto  ate  to  be  kind  unto  them,  I  always  look 
up  unto  H  I  J\L 

WHEN  he  knocked  at  a  Door,  the  Faith  of  our 
SAVIOUR'S  Promife  was  awakened  in  Him,  Knock 
and  it  pall  be  opened  unto  You. 


he  mended  his  Flre3  it  was  with  a  Medita 
tion  how'  his  Heart  and  Life  might  be  reflified,  and 
how  thro'  the  Emendations  of  Divine  Grace  His 
Zove  and  Zeal  might  flame  more  agreably. 


he  put  out  his  Candle  ,  it  muft  be  done 
with  an  Addrcfs  to  tke  Father  of  Lights,  that  his 
f,i%ht  might  not  be  put  out  in  Obfcure  iDarkncfs  ; 
and  with  a  Wi(h  that  ivhen  He  gees  out  by  Morta 
lity  He  might  enter  ever  laft  ing  Life  and  Light. 

As  he  tafted  of  the  feveral  Fruits  which  are  the 
rich  Product  of  Summer,  he  would  fet  Himfelf  to 
think  on  ibme  fpecial  Ghry  of  our  SAVIOUR,  of 
which  he  might  by  it  be  lead  unto  the  Contempla 
tion,  and  fo  addrefs  HIM  with  a  rapturous  Confeilion 
•fir, 


Dr.  CQTTON  MATHER." 


INT  drinking  a  Difh  of  ^ea,  (  of  which  he  was  a 
great  Admirer  }  he  would  take  an  Occafion  for  thele 
Tho'ts  efpecially  with  thclngenuity  of  Uicajk^ai,  Re- 
flctfionznd  agrealleSimilituUcjhtt  mould  hayj  mat-.y 
fwect  Acknowledgments  of  the  glorious  JV.svs  nt 
them.  And  whatever  1)di<^)t  any  of  Ins  Senjes 
enjoy'd,  it  was  foon  fanc'tiried  and  rendred  n.orc  de 
lightful  by  his  making  fuch  an  Improvement  ol  it. 

THE  Servant  of  the  LORD  could  fay,  Mnc  .Eyn 
prevent  the  Night  Watches,  that  I  might  Mid.is.te 
in  thy  Word.  When  the  Doctor  waked  in  the 
Night,  he  would  impofe.it  as  a  Law  upon  Himfelf 
ever  before  he  fejl  afieep  again  to  bring  fjme  Glory 
of  bis  S  Ay  IO  UR>  inro  his  Meditations,  and  have 
Ibme  agreable  %)ejire  of  his  Scul  upon  it, 

WHEN  he  paid  what  he  ow'd  at  any  Time,  he 
would  reflect  on  what  he  oiv'd  C  11  R  IS'I'  for  pay 
ing  his  cDebt  to  tbe  jujtice  of  G  0%),  and  was  deli- 
fous  that  he  ihould  oive  no  J\fa»  any  thing  but  Lcve. 

AMONG  the  Occajtons  for  the  ExpreiTions  of  'Piety 
and  Thankfulnefs,  he  would  ^ffecflionately  take  Nq- 
ticeoftheww«  Empkymenfs  wherein  he  law  other 
People  occupied,  When  he  faw  thofe  whofe  Bulinefs 
it  was  to  dt£  in  the  Earth,  to  iweep  Chimneys, 
cleanle  the  Kennels,  or  drive  the  Coach,  the  Cart  or 
JVheel-b  arrow,  or  excrcifcJ  in  the  like  /o~v  2)e^rce  ; 
I  iay,  wh;ir)  he  law  thofe  Men,  it  railed  his  Hca>t  in 
Wonders  at  the  Goodncfs  of  GOD,  which  diitir- 
guilhed  him  with  nobler  Employments. 

WHEN  he  vifited  a  Sicfe  'T'crior,    ho  would  -fetch 
fume  Admonition  relating  to  the  moral  'Diftenipen  iq 
-•art   nnd  Life,  analogous  to  chs   Circuinftanc<2S 
of  the  difeafed  Perion, 

any  Thing  began  to  nitcany  Rhui'ition  of  //;; 
ger  in    him,  he  would  endeavor  to  allay  it  by  thin'* 
'"'  ll'bat  'Provocations  have  Jgivw  to  the 

H  4  ^  0  <7>; 


G02)  ;  and  what  was  the  Meeknefs  And  WiCdom  efm£ 
blejfid  J  ESUS  when  he  met  with  Contradidioii 
from  Sinners. 


h&waJhtJ  his  Hands  s  he  muft  think  ol 
the  clean  Hands,  as  well  ujwbHiarf;  whi$h  be 
long  to  the  Citizens  of  Zion. 

AND  when  he  did  fo  mean  an  Action  as  faring  his 
Nails,  he  tho't  how  he  might  lay  afide  all  &»j>er- 
fiuity  ofNaugbtinefs. 

SOMETIMES  he  had  kind  Prefents  made  him  :  He 
would  by  tHe^tf/f/jyofthePrefents  be  awakened  unto 
particular  Acknowledgments  and  Rtjolunon*.  He 
would  think,  What  Good  'jTbittg  {bould  that  Matit- 
wijh,  and  what  Good  Jbould  he  dc  3  whom  GO'D  cult-.. 
ges  &y  'be  flowing  fuch  T'tiin^s  upon  'Him  ?  /^n-  he 
would  always  add  a  Reflexion  upon  the  Numtiatfdfl 
of  our  SAVIOUR,  who  wanted  fuch  Things,  thro'  the 
Ingratitude  of  an  evil  World 

WHENEVER  he  met  with  any  Crooked  Thing,  he 
reflected  after  tb  is  manner  j  My  Willis  c  rojjed  ;  but 
what  particular  Inftance  of  'Diftbedience  and  Con-' 
tfidlEtion  to  the  Will  of  G  Q  "D  pould  this  j4fflittio» 
lead  me  to  conjider  of, 

HE  had  foy  many  Years  a  Morning  Cough  :  it 
^yery  Morning  raifed  proper  fJjifpofit^s.^of<Piety 
in  him. 

IN  managing  his  Correspondencies  >¥&  would  thinlfs 
What  honourable  Mention  can  /  make  of  yny  S  A- 
PIOU  R  here,  and  ivbat&rvice  may  I  do  for  the 
Kingdom  of  my  S  AVIO  U  R  on  t  hit  Opportunity  ? 
He  afterwards  'added  three  Reflections;  Hrft  j  Whea 
]h.c  was  Sealing  a  Letter  and  fending  it  away,  he 
would  with  an  a,6t  of  fyjignation  put  it  over  into 
the  Hands  of  the  divine  TrovMeac's  for  the  Safety 
^nd  Succefs  of  it.  Secondly  ;  When  he  was  opening 
ahy  Lester,  he  would  life  up  his  Heart  to  Heaven  that 

-    r   i  *  •        t      '  i 

fee 


BL  COTTON  MATHER,'  105 

^ie  might  be  prepared  for  whatever  was  grievous  or 
joyful.  Thirdly  ;  In  his  laft  Prayers  in  his  Study 
at  Night  before  he  went  to  reft,  he  would  call  to 
mind  whom  he  had  received  any  Letter  from  in  the 
Day,  and  would  make  particular  mention  of  that  Per- 
fbn  and  pray  for  fuitable  Mercies  for  him. 

THUS  I  have  given  you  a  Specimen,  which  is  all  I 
intended,  and  all  you  can  expect  here. 

^.  BUT  that  fo  the  Doctor,  whether  he  eat  or 
drank  or 'whatever  he  did,  might  do  all  to  the  Ghry 
cfGOD ;  he  was  very  conftant  in  Ejacalatoryfrayers 
find  'Praifes. 

THE  particular  Seafons,  in  w.hich  he  wasfurnifh'd 
with  them,  were  as  follows,  viz. 
-  BEFORE  he  fet  upon  any  fignal  Aft  ofWwjhip,  an 
Ejaculation  muft  ask  for  help  in  that  Act.    ' 

1  WHILE  he  'was   joining   with  another  in   Social  - 
Graying  he  would  fix  his  wandring  Heart  by  annex 
ing  fuch  a  pertinent  Ejaculation  unto  every  Sentence 
that  was  uttered  as,  (C  LOBJI)>  I'own  *it>  or  LOR2) 
I  ask  it  ! 

IN  hearing  of  a  Sermon  he  would  tack  a  fcricus 
Ejaculation  upon  every  Text  or  Head  that  fhould  be 
propofed  in  itv 

BEFORE  his  Preaching  of  a  Sermon,  he  revolved 
ic  in  a  Meditation  that  fhould  turn  every  part  of  it  into 
fome  Ejaculation.  '• 

His  Courfe  of  daily  Meditation,  which  he  ear 
ned  on,  had  agreable  -Ejaculations  intermixed  in  the 
^hoje  Exercife. 

Numberlefs  Ejaculations  at  the  LOR&'s  fable  he 
tjho't  highly  feafonable. 

''Isj  <.S*/:g/;/g  a  'Pj  'aim  and  P^  ad  ing  a  C'l.tpter,  aj 
he  went  alon^  he  wguld  form,  ngreablc  l*:j\iculations' 
out  of  every  veffe. 

WHEN  in  his  liefure  Mittutes  he  fetch 'd   Lcjfins 
from  the  Creatures  of  GOD,    he  would  net   d 
them  until  he  had  put  them  into  proper 


The  Life  of 

WHEN  any  new  Comfort  was  conferred  on  him,  he 
had  this  Ejaculation,  "  LORD,  hJ-'j  me  to  employ 
this  Talent  for  thy  Gkry  '\  And  wh~n  any  new 
tfroubk  was  inflicted  on  him,  he  prayed,  <(  JLOR2)a 
Help  me  to  bear  as  ivell  as  to  hear  the  Rod  ". 

EVERY  new  matter  of  Care  bro't  with  it  new  Mat 
ter  for  his  <Prayers  :  He  thought  therefore  that  the 
leait  he  could  do  was  to  carry  a  ft  on  'Petition  to  the 
LORD  j  and  thus  he  asked  the  fmile  of  Heaven  upon 
all  that  he  had  to  do-. 

ESPECIALLY  if  any  weighty  $)ueftion  was  propoun 
ded  unto  him,  he  would  not  anfwer  k  until  he 
briefly  addrefs'd  Heaven  for  a  right  Atifiver. 

HE  had  often  fc  LOR2)9Save  tby  People  "  in  his 
Mind ;  fuch  Ejaculations  for  the  Church  of  GOD,  he 
efteD  ufed. 

HE  liked  that  good  Rule  which  one  propofcd  for 
himielf,  When  I  tkihk  of  my  Friend,  let  it  be  with  A 
fraying  ^Tbo't. 

WHEN  he  was  informed  of  any  Neighbour  in  Af- 
fftfion,  he  thought  it  befpoke  his  ckaritable  Eja- 
€itlations. 

WHILE  he  walked  the  Streets,  or  fat  in  ft  ~R.com 
with  his  Mind  otherwise  unemployed,  he  would  not 
lofe  the  Time,  but  ufe  his  Wit  as  well  as  Grace  in 
contriving  fome  fuitable  %leffi»g  for  iuch  and  {uch  a§ 
were  befor-e  him  ;  and  then  he  would  form  it  into  an 
Ejaculation  for  them.  Thus  nom  out  HE  that 
knows  the  T'hot**  afar  off,  were  acquaint sd  with  tne 
fecret  pious  Motions  of  his  Soul. 

So  much  ioiEjaculatory  Przyen  for  theprefcnt. 

THK  Seafons  for  Ejaculatory  'Praifes  you  may 
take  as  follows,  viz-. 

THE  Occajlons  which  occur'd  for  his  flyers; 
fometimes  too,  follicited  for  his  'Praifes. 

EVERY  'Difpenfation  of  GOD  afforded  Matter  ior. 
filch  an  Ejacula-tiQu  to  him. 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  107 

ESPECIALLY  when  any  confpicuous  Mercy  wat 
bertowed  upon  him,  he  exprefs'd  his  Gratitude  by 
fome  graterul  Ejaculation  upon  it,  fuch  as,  T'boutrt. 
good,  and  cffyou  doft  Good. 

AMD  whenever  any  'PerfetftM  of  Gor>  was  by  any 
Effe&s  manifeted  unto  him,  he  would  by  fome  adap 
ted  Ejaculation  celebrate  that  PerleAion,  faying, 
LQR'l),  ho-iv  great  is  thy  Power,  thy  Wifdcm,yuj- 
ticct  Sovereignty  and  Bounty. 

THUS  likewife  of  Ejaculatory  'Praifes. 

I  will  refumethe  Head  of  Eiaculatory  Prayers; 
and  lhall  conclu4e  thisHead  with  lome  of  them,  which 
he  us'd  at  a  T^alle  once  and  in  walking  the  Streets  ; 
by  which  you  may  guefs  very  eafily,  how  he  walked 
as  in  the  fight  of  GOD. 

A  T'a  fable,  where  he  tho't  it  not  proper  to  fay 
much,  and  the  Difcourfcs  of  others  were  too  trivial  to 

be  worthy  of  his  Intention. 

Lo©K.iNo  on  the  Gentlewoman  that  carv'd  for  the 
Guefts ;  "  LORZ>,  tho't  he,  Carve  a,  rich  <Portio» 
oj  thy  Graces  and  Comforts  to  that  'Perfon.' 

A  Gentlewoman  ftricken  in  Years ;  c  Lord,  adorn 
that  cpcrfon  with  tbt  Venues  which  Thou  frefcribejl 
unto  aged  Women.  ' 

FOP.  a  Gentlewoman  newly  Married,  c  Lord y  Mar 
ry  and  Ejpoufe  that  -Perfon  to  Thy  jl-lf  in  a  Covenant 
never  to  be  forgotten. ' 

FOR  a  Gentlewoman  very  beautiful,  *"  T,ord3  Give 
that  'P  erf  on  an,  bumble  -Mind,  and  let  hrr  be  mofl  con 
cerned  for  tbofc  Ornaments  that  are  of  great  'Price 
in  thy  firht ' 

FOR  one  of  our  Magiftrates,  f  Lord,  Tnfyire  that 
'Perfon  with  JVifdom,  Courage  and  Goodnefs  to  feek 
the  Welfare  of  thy  'People. ' 

ONF.  of  the  Minifters  :  Lord,  findine  and  afjjjl 
that  ferfon  to  be  'ti  faithful-  Steward  in  thy  Houfe.  ' 

ONE 


The  Life  of' 

ONE  unhappy  in  his  Children ;  e  Lofdj  Con-usrs 
ib*  Children  of  that  ferfon,  And  k:  Jbift  btive  the- 
jfey  to  fee  them  walking  in  tb.  'Truth  '. 

ONE  weakly  and  fickly  .  (  .Lor^'y  Lit  the  Sutt  of 
Rightwufnefi  arife  on  that  'Perfi*  v>, '; '  Healiv^un- 
Jer  bis  Wings '. 

A  Phyflcian  ;  c  Lord,  Let  that  ePeKlbtt,  befuccefsful 
in,  foii'Praffic.e  ;  0%dlet  him  carry  tit  2)ifte?»pers  of 
tois  own  Soulfuccefsfully  to  lots  Healer  *. 

ONE  that  had  met  with;  great  Lodes  ;  c  Lor$9 
Give  that  'Perfon  tbe  good  fart  tlott  can  never  be 
tAkett  aivay '. 

AND  for  the  Servants  giving  Attendance  ;  e  Lord* 
Make  them  thy  Children  and  Servants  of  ?E  SUS 
C  HZ  1ST.' 

WHEN  \iewalked  the  Streets,  he  ftill  bkjfed  ma-' 
ny  Perform  who  never  knew  it,  mthfecret  Wijbes 
after  this  in.^r.^r  for  them  ; 

UPON  the  fight  of  a  tall  Man  ;  f  Lord,  Give  tha^ 
J$t»]toig&.4kstKxtertitj  in  Christianity  :  Let  him  fear 
^<j)2)-  above  many  3. 

A  lame  Man ;  c  Lord,  Hety  that  Man  v 
jfccounn  to  ivalk  uprightly.  3 

A  Negro;  f  Lc  ->::it  poor  «&»/.; 

"him  ixktte  by  the  Wajhing  of  thy  -S?  IR  TT.  ' 

CHILDREN  ilaridin^-  to^sthci  ;  4  Lv(d,  Let  the 
tfkjjed  Hand  of,  CH^  I<S<£  be  j.it;  on  ttoefe  Cbll^ 
dren  y. 

CHILDREN  at  Play ;  f  Loid,  Let  not  thtfe  Chil 
dren  always  forget  the  Work  upov  ichtch  they  ctms. 
int«  the  Wvrld  '. 

A  Merchant ;  c  Lord,  Make  that  Man  a,  wij^ 
Jifsrchant  '. 

A  very  little  Msjn.j  c  Lora,  Be/low  g:-"eat  Blzf-, 
Jings  upon  that  Man^  and  a  have  oii  tb&  &O  N  tux. 
great  eft  of  nil  'JSlsJUgs  'J'. 

.A  Man  orx  H,orfe-back, ;   \  I.wd<  Ithy  Crea 
ferve  that  Man  •  help  hint  to  ferve  his  Greater. ' 

XO^NG  People;  c  Help  them,  O  Lcrd>  to  j. 

their  Creator  in  the  2Jays  of  f  heir  Touth  *. 

1  .;  ~v, 

I . 


Dr.  Cd-rTON 

YCVNG  Gentlewomen;  f  Lords  AJ.i*t 
virgins,  and  as,  the  polijh'd  Stones  </ 

A  Shop-keeper  bufy  at  Work  ;  f  Ltr 
fon  jb  mind  the  Affairs  of  this  Wtrl-i 
the  one  T'hing  needful  \ 

A  Man  going  by  without  obferving 
J  pray  T'H  E  £,  Help  that  Matt  tot        a  diet 
uce  of  CHRIS?.  ' 

ONS  in  Mourning  ;  e  Lord,  Give  that  A.fy 
Comforts  ivbtcb   Tbcu  hafi  f  remind  to  '?&*£ 

Mourners  \ 

A  very  old  Man  ;  f  Lord±  Make  h  "  *#  */J 
ciple*. 

ONE  leaning  on  a  Staff;  *  ftfahtbt    '     (M)LofJf. 
to  lean  on  his  SAVIO  U  R.  '* 
.  ONE  who  hadfpoken  injuriorufly  oi 
ffi*fs>  fare  andfave  that  'Perfon   evw  st* 
Soul  ;  may  that  'Perfo/t  pare  with  me 


.  ONE  that  was  reckoned  a  very  wick          . 
Refcue  that  poor  Man  who  ('tis  to  be 
fefid  by  Satan,  who  leads  him  capti^ 


Irt  like  manner  jwhen  he  has  been  fit  aig  in  a 
full ,  of  People  at  a  Funeral,,  where 
much  liberty  to  cfalk^  and  where  muc  \  moft 

unreafonably  loft  ;  he  ufually  fet  his  ^  i  k  to 

contrive  agreable  Benediftions  for  eai 
Company. 

BUT  it  were  endlefsto  exemplify  a  thoufanchh  pa-it 

in  which  his 
exercifed.  -^4^ 

V;    Us,  And  Stlj 


T.  F  ASKING,  however  in  thL'.  C 

•  i  ^fpifed^  is  very  ufefui  not  on^  ucv-auic  +••»- 

;ilfo  Grace,    fares  the  better  for  it,    and   is 

,i.'u.ed  by  it  :  Hence  it  is  that  fomany  religious 

;  looked  upon  it  as  a  necefary  &  important 

THERE 


no  tfhe  Life  of 

THERE  is  a  Paflage  in  the  Talmuds  (  in  Hiercfyk 
Kilaim.  Fol.  32.  a.)  that  Rabbi  Josi  failed  eighty 
Fajh  and  R.  JHMEOH  BEN  LACISH  three  Hundred, 
that  they  might  fee  R.  CAIJAH  RUBBAH.  The 
.y^wj  report  of  R.  ZADOK  that  he  did  fo  mortify  hifn- 
£lf  with  Falling  that  he  was  commonly  called  Chaljba 
i  c.  tbeWtak.  They  tell  us  alfoofR.  JOSHUA  BEN 
AN  AMI  AH  that  his  Face  was  black  by  rcaibn  of  his 
Fallings. 

So  very  frequent  among  the  'Primitive  Cbriftians 
was  the  Practice  of  this  Duty,  that  it  was  to  be  di£- 
covcred  in  their  Faces  and  Joints ;  fo  that  cPallidi 
and  Irepidi  were  the  opprobrious  Names  which  the 
Heathen  for  this  Reafon  gave  them. 

BUT  among  thofe  that  have  dons  verfuoufty  in  this    1 
Refpedr.,  perhaps  Dr.  MATHER  has  excelled  them  all.   ' 

IN  my  Sermon  on  my  Father,  I  faid,  by  a  very  mo 
derate  Computation,he  kept  about  Four  hundred  and 
fifty  Falls  :  I  computed  thus,That  from  his  fourteenth 
Year  almoft  unto  his  Death,  he  tho't  himfelfy?^^^^ 
unlefs  hefajled  once  a  Month  ;  that  he,  when  con 
cerned  in  any  very  great  Affair,  would  alfo  very  often 
keep  Weekly  Falls,  fometimes  t\vo  in  a  Week  ;  and 
inafmueh  as  he  kept  not  Records  of  all  the  Fafts  he 
obferved  and  fo  I  could  not  exactly  number  them,  I 
therefore  tho't  the  Number  above  fpecirkd  to  be  a 
moderate  Computation. 

I  fnall  here  give  you  his  Frame,  his  Sentiments 
and  Aftions  on  two  or  three  of  his  Days  of  Fajling 
C  in  his  own  Words  )  from  which'  you  may  judge  of 
the  reft. 

c  SETTING  apart  a  Day  ( theDay  paft )  for  <Pr&yer 
'  with  Faftin!*  in  my  Study  ;  I  judged  my  felf  before 
*  the  LORP  for  my  various  Tranfgreffions  ;  and  in 
r  the  DiflrefTes  of  my  Soul,  beholding  my  Mifery  by» 
1  my  Eftrangedncf':  from  Go-n  and  Expolednefs  to  his 
'  Wrath  ;  but  believing  that  the  LORD  JESUS 
f  CHRIST  the  onlv  Mediator  was  willing  fo  have 

6  Menv- 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  in 

*  Mercy  upon  me,  after  all  tha  Indignities  I  had  put 
c  upon  Him,    if  i  now  looked   unto  Him  :     1  ear- 
f  neftly  beiceched  Him  graciouily  to  take  Care  of  all 
f  that  concerned  my  Salvation,  and  relcue'me  troin  all 

*  the  Confuilons  I  had  brought  upon  my  lelf  by  my 

*  leaving  GOD,    and  be  my  'jPriefl,  'Prcptiet  and 

*  Kitt^  forever.  And  I  profefs'd  unto  Him,  that  I  left 
f  my  immortal  Spirit  in  his  bleiled  Hands,  and  that 
s  I  would  expect  every  part  of  my  Welfare  as  the  fruit 

*  ofhis  bleifed  Sdtilfo&iw  &  Intercefjion  ,  and  that 

*  I  would  fubmit  unto  his  glorious  Dominion,  Power 
e  and  Wifdom  fo  as  never  willingly  to  v.ithdrawfrom 

*  the  Regulations  of  them;  but  I  would  fly  unto  his 
c  precious  £koJ  for   'Pardon  whenever  I  perceived 
f  in  my  felf  any  Deviations.     And   I  concluded  with 
'  a  triumphant  Faith  that   He  would  dome  Good, 

*  and  GOD  would  have  no  Controverfy  with  me  ; 
(  and  that  I  fhould  after  a  defireable   manner  Know, 
'  Love  and  Honour  Him ;  and  that  I  fliail  find   my 
f  never  dying  Soul  under  the  peculiar  Care  of  a  mtx- 
f  ciful  Redeemer  in  the  Times  of  the  greateft  Extrc- 
'  mity  that  mall,  or  can  ever  come  unto  me  '. — 

— THUS  on  one  Day, 

ON    another  Day  he  writes  thus  ; 

*  THIS  Day  having  humbled  my  felf  and  judged 
c  my  felf  before  the  LORD  tor  my  many  Provocations, 
c  and  watered  my  Couch  with  my  Tears  in  the  Ap- 
e  prehenfion  of  my  exceeding  Vilenefs  ;  at  length 
f  Vloods  of  Tears  gufhed  from  me  in  my  laying  hold 
f  on  the  pardoning  Mercy  of  GOD  in  JESUS 
'CHRIS  T.  The  Spine  of  the  moil  High  bro't 
f  me  to  a  marvellous  fen/per  which  was  to  me  like 
e  the  very  Suburbs  of  Heaven,  wherein  He  adured  me 
e%tha:  alt  MV  Sivs  wr*  forgiven  ;  and  that  his  Anger 

*  in  the  I cnfe  of  which- nn'  Soul  trembled,  fhould  no 

*  more  v-iurn  agaitift  me/  Upon  this  1  called  unto 
c  mind  the  Names  of  as  many  Perfons  as  I  could  any 
'  Ways  learn  Had   reproached  and  injured  me;    and  I 
f  moil  heartily  beg'd  the  GOD  of  Heaven   on  the 

*  behalf  of  than  one  by  oae^that  they  might  Ic  Me/fed 

<  wit* 


Life  of 

%  I 

jith  all  the  Blejfings  ofGoodnefs,  and  Ibch  Elefe 
iings  elpegally  as  were  molt  fuitable  for  them. 

•, 

I  alfo  befougfit  the  LORD  that  I  might  never  Sir! 
agamft  Jlim  with  Will  or  Defign  or  Delight  any 
more  :  I  profefs'd  unto  Him  that  I  fliould  rejoice  to 
Dy  this  very  Day.,  if  I  might  be  cverlaftingly  deli-> 
vcred  from  fmniug  againft  Him  :  I  declared  before 
Him  that  I  was  very  lure  I  fhould  be  with  CHRIST 
e're  long,  and  joyfully  behold  his  Face  in  finlcfi 
Glory  \ 

ON  another  fuch  Day  I  find  in  his  Papers,  c  That 
he  did  with  Plenty  of  Tears  lament  his  Wretched- 
nefs  :  And  herein,  fays  he,,  I  was  carried  forth  t<* 
declare  unto  the  LORD,  that  having  dimonouied 
His  glorious  Name,  if  there  were  no  other  way  fot 
the  Honor  of  it  to  be  recovered  except  in  my  Ruin3 
I  laid  my  felf  down  at  His  holy  Feet  to  be  difpofed 
of  for  ever  by  Him  as  He  fhould  pleafe.  But  yet  I 
that  His  Name  was  aG02>  that  would  abun 


dantly  ^Pardon,  and  that  He  had  provided  a 
for  the  Glory  of  it,  and  that  whofoever  will  accept 
of  Salvation  in  and  thro'  CHRIST  fhould  upon 
His  Word  be  fure  to  have  it  ;  and  fo  I  concluded 
with  Aflurance  that  the  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST 
was  intercepting  for  me,  and  that  bccaufe  He  had 
Liv'd  &  <Lied  I  fhould  not  2)y  but  Live.  And 
thefe  Motions  of  Soul  in  me  were  accompanied 
with  very  rapturous  Hallelujahs  ,  with  Tranfports 
of  Love  and  Praife  ;  telling  the  LORD  that  now  I 
would  be  His  forever,  and  I  longed  now  to  be 
with  my  REDEEMER  in  the  Manfions  that  arc 
above  where  I  mail  certainly  be;  but  for  one  Reafvn 
I  defired  to  Live  a  few  Days  more  upon  Earth,  evert 
that  I  might  Labour  &  Suffer  for  Him,  and  Serve 
Him,  where  I  had  finned  againft  Him  :  And  thi$ 
fhall  Be  my  Work,  all  the  Day  long  while  I  have 
a  Day  to  live.  ' 

THERE 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHE?* 

•  .,  THERF.  was  .once  a  lime  and  a  Thing  in  which 
the  Doctor  was  full  of  dillrefs.  His  Temptations  and 
Difficulties  were  extraordinary  :  He  thought  hirnlelf 
called  unto  more  than  ordinary  Humiliations.,  Suppli 
cations  and  Refignations.  In  this  Tin^1  he  rareljf.kt 
a  Week  pafs  without  letting  apart  2.'%} ay  for  'Faf-> 
with  tPraptrfpr  many  JMonths  together  ;  and  ever 
now  and  then  he  had  his  ffigih.  tor.  a  CpnyeVfation 
with  Heaven  ;  ana  every  Day  for  the  mofl  part  he 
had  one  "fecret  Prayer  .more  than  he  ufed  to  have  and 
lay  proftrate  in  the  Duft  with  Tears  before  the  LORD, 
yet  he  tho't  itneceflary  to  do  fomething  more  than  all 
this. 

,  HE  had  often  in  his  Life  kept  two  %),aysf  of  Ptrfihig 
and  'Prayer  in  one  Week,  :  But  now  he  was  refolveq 
to  fpend.'jT&ree  2)ays  after  this  manner  in  his  Study^ 
and  befeech  the  LORI)  thrice,  knocking  at  the  Door 
of  Heaven  for  three  2) ays  together  ;  and  he  was  car 
ried  thro'  the  Undertaking  even  beyond  what  his 
feeble  Conftitution  could  have  looked  for. 

HE  wns  defirous   that   each  1)ay  iliould  have  it's 
peculiar  Char  after,  tho-*   there  were    ir.any 
Strokes  of  Devotion  which  were  common  to  all  the 
Days. 

THE   Character  of  the /?r/?  Dgy  was  Cotrfeffion  of? 
and   Cofftrition  for  the  Sins  which  might'expofe  hir'1, 
to  the  Difpleafure  of  Heaven  ;  (  in  which  he  urcij.«i 
Catalogue  of  Things  forbidden,  and   re-/' aired-  in   r,.  •• 
Commandment $>?iS  well  as  the  Ingredients  of  0 
Sin  )  and  he  petitioned  for  the  Pardon  of  all  thro'  -.' 
Blood  of  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST. 

THE  Character  of  the  fccond  ^Deiy  was  R 
en  to  the  Will  of  G  0  '23  in  whatever  Sorrows  had  be 
fallen  him,  and  in  the  lorrowful  things  which  he 
could  inn^ine  might  pebbly  be  infii ..  h  d.  on  him. 
He  found  aftonifning  Untenaimnent  frcm  Heaven  in 
this  Action. 

..THE  linsjular  Character  of  the   third  %}.iv,  v  as--- 
$.eaugft  :   f,ril  for  Help  uhJer  and  aL*aii 
I 


°f 

Aflaults  QtZefofttittonl  upon  him  ;  and  th«n,  fortne 
jlttgelical  Mlmjtry  to  be  employed  on  his  Behalf  and 
fpr  hisHelp^in  thofe  CafcSj  in  which  the  Heirs  of 
Salvation  ufe  to  be  befriended  by  the  Mifftfters  who 
Jo  the  Tleafure  of  tJ:e  £  O  R  2). 


I  will  now  ufe  his  ownExpreffions  :---  e 
f  C2)ayi  left  me  in  a  very  defireable  Frame  ;  very  fear- 
c  ful  of  Sinning  againftGOD,  very  raifed  in  my  tho'ts 
c  of  CHRIST,  and  Heaven,  and  very  watchful  to  do 
c  Good  and  bring  forth  Fruit  unto  the  LORD. 

c  BUT  becaufe  an  Admiffion  to  extraordinary  inti 
mate  Communion  with  Heaven  ufes  to  be  followed 
with  fore  Sufferings  from  Satan  either  by  iaternaf 
Imfreffions  or  external  Occurrences,  I  had  a  tremb 
ling  Expectation  of  what  might  follow  upon  that 
Intercourfc  with  Keaven  to  which  I  had  bin  newly 
admitted. 

c  T'be  Evil  that  I  feared  cams  upon  we,  but  yet  I 
received  a  marvellous  Harveft  of  the  fhreo  'Days. 
The  Delagn  of  them  was  obtained  to  Admiration  '. 

I  will  infert  but  one  more  Day  of  'Prayer  with 
Facing,  which  he  kept  under  fome  Temptations  ; 
on  which  1  find  he  has  entred  this  Record. 

c  IT  was  a  Day  full  of  aitonifhing  Enjoyments^  a 
c  Day  filled  withRcfignation,  Satisfaction  &  Heavenly 
:  Aftonifliments.  Heaven  h»is  as  it  were  been  opened 
e  unto  me  this  J^ay.  Never  did  I  fo  long  to  dy  and' 
f  fly  away  into  Heaven  !  I  have  feen  and  felt  ttntttter- 
f  able  I'bings,  I  have  tafied  that  The  LOR2)  is 
f  gracious.  I  can  by  no  means  relate  the  Communi 
cations  of  Heaven  to  vshich  I  have  been  admitted. 
larn  now  fiire  that  the  great  GOD  is  tnj?  GO1), 
that  I  iland  before  HIM  in  the  Rigbtecufnefi  'of 
CHRIST-jthat  no  Good  pall  bs  iritb-'hsld  from  mey 
that  COD  will  ufe  me  to  glorify  HIM  greatly,  and 
that  1  fnali  be  snObjeft  fofthcEverlaitiBgTriuinphs 
of  infinite  Giace. 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER?  is  5 


*  I  was  fcarce  able  to  bear  the  JSxtajies  of 

*  Love  into  which  I  was  raptured.    They  exhauffecJ 

*  my  Spirits  ;  they  made  me  faint  j  they  were  infup- 
r  portable  ;  I  was  forced,  to  withdraw  from  them  leit 
s  the  Raptures  fliould  make  me  fwoon  away  '. 


I  could  produce  a  vafl  Multitude,  more  of  . 
tertainmentSj  rusTho'ts  and  Methods  on  Days  ojf 
fafflazsy  but  it  would  fwell  this  Book  to  too  great  * 
bulk. 


2.  I  come  therefore  to  write  of  his 
which  were  very  numerous  :  I  fhall  collect  but  three 
Inftances  out  of  the  many  that  are  before  me. 

ON  one  Day  he  kept,  he  Tet  himfelf  ;       ,  ,         ,  ? 

1.  To  recolleft  the  mercijul  tDifpenfatfow  of  GOD 
iinto-him.  .  4 

2.  To  confider  the  Aggravations  of  thofe  Mercs  es 
in  the  Greatnefs  and  Freenefs  of  them. 

3.  To  regijler  them  in  his  Memorials, 

4.  To  c.ckno-isokii^e  them  in  his  ^Devotion's. 

5.  To  contrive  what  Returns  he  fliould  make  by 
way  of  Gratitude  to  GOD. 

HE  writes,  c  I  ipeiU  tl;c  t)ay  in  fuch  Exercifes  j 

*  and  the  fweetnefs  of  them  with  the  heavehly  Jjjla- 
f  tus  they  bro't  upon  my  Mind,  made  me  a  rich  Rc- 
6  compence  for  the  Labor  of  them  : 

c  IN  the  Clcfe  of  the  Day  cOmihg.to  ponder,, 
5  What  pall  I  new  render  to  the  LO  RCJJ  for  nil 
'  his  Benefrs  ? 

His  Tho'ts  arc  thus  written  dov.n. 
,    (  I.  SHALL  I  not  hve.tbs  I.ORiD,znd  be  conftant^ 
c  fervent,  unwearied  in  ferving  of  HIM  ?  Efpscially  in 
(  the  Rules  I  have  propofed  for  my  Converfation  > 

c  II.  SHALL  I  not    endeavor  to  ihlne   by  a  good 

*  Example  > 

c  III.  SHALL  I  not  husband  t^c  redeem  the  . 
Hours  i  which  1  enjoy  in  the  fl'iidft  of  (b  many 

I    2 


i6  The  Life  of 

IV.  SHALL  I  not  every  'Day  in  every  Capacity,,. 
.  Delation,  Company  be  contriving,  What  can  I  now 
and  here  Jo  for  G  0  1)  ?  And  lay  my  felfout  ac- 
cordingly  ? 
<  OH  1  That  GOD  would  help  me  thus  to  do/ 


another  of  thefe   Thanksgivings  he    writes 

thus  ; 

c  THE  Forenoon  of  this  Day  I  fpent; 

•  c  I.  IN  acknowledging  my  own  Viknefs  before 
GOD.,  by  which  after  an  aggravated  Manner  I  have 
become  unworthy  of  all  that  Goodtiefs  and  Meny 
that  has  followed  me  all  my  days. 
II.  IN  acknowledging  thofe  Glories  which  belong 
unto  the  great  GOD  as  HE  is  infinitely  excellent  in 
Himftlfy  and  as  HE  is  the  Creator  and  Governor  of 
the  World,  and  unto  JESUS  CHRIST  as  HE  is 
one  altogether  lovely.  ---  In  thefe  Exercifes  my 
Heart  was  bro't  to  fuch  Frames  as  would  have  turn 
ed  a  'Dungeon  into  a  Paradife. 


€  IN  the  dftrrnoon  I  went  over  the  former  Kind- 
e  nejjes  of  GOD  unto  my  felf  iu  jriy |Z>b0*/f,:  my 

c  (Pj'alm-3  my  "Trnifcs. 

'  BUT  1  more  efpecially  fingled  out  three  I'btAgs 
f  in  which  I  have  feenthe  Favor  of  GOD  ;  viz.  An- 
*•'  ivvcrs  to  'Petitions,  Refcues  from  'Temptations  and 
c  thole  ^ffiiUons  by  means  of  which  I  have  enjoyed 
f  both.  • 

c  I  cfTay'd  then  to  blcfs  the  LORD  for  thofe  Favors 
f  wi:h  v\hich  at  prefentlam  on  every  fide  iurrotindedj, 
'  fach  as3 

e  MY  Life   and   U?a\tl\ 

1  MY  Accomplifhments   in  anyw  Points  of  Ltcirn- 

'  in£- 

f  MY  well 'furnjfliM  Library. 

(  MY  ImjamveilBfef  in  the  Mfrii'flTy  of  the  Gofpel. 

e  MY  peaceable  StttlemeMt  in  a  Place  of  great  Op- 
c  portuniiics  to.do  Ciood. 
.f  MY  SLI  public  ntid  private  Labors^ 

f  MY  Acceptance  'and  Jntcreft  "among  the  People 
*  of  GOD. 


Dr.  COTTON  MA-THEIU  117 

e  MY  Enjoyment  of  my  Father  to  this  Day, 

*  THE  notable  Growth  and   Peace  of  the  Hock., 
f  *ver  which  I  am  a  cJPaftor. 

''    c  HAVING  employ'd  my  Admirations  and   Adora- 
f  tions  upon  the  Grace  from  whence  tin Te  Things  db 
c  come  unto  me;  I  then  came  to  cohiidcr  the  J: 
'*  Grace  of  GOD  unto  me  in, 

f  THE  Gift  of  CHRIST  unto  the  World. 

f  THE  Offer  of  HIM  unto  Myfelfm  particular. 

f  THE  &;;/e>oftheNeceffity  ofCHKiV.t,   GOD 

*  has  given  me. 

c  THE  Union  with  HIM  to  which  the  Holy  SPT- 

*  R  i  r  has  bro't.  me. 

c  AND  all  the  further  Operations  of  the  Ho,* 
*.  SPIRIT  upon  my  Soul,  by  which  H'e  is  continually 
e  making  me  more  meet  for  the  Inheritance  cj  tbe 
e  Saints  in  Ligbt. 

f  I  concluded   the   Day   with   confidering,   What 

*  Jhall  I  render  to  the  L  O  R  CD  ? 

c  I  then  gave  my  /elf,  my  whole/e//.all  my  Powers, 
c  Members,  Capacities  and  fnterefts  (  which  I  own'd 
€  was  the  lead  that  I  ow'd  )  unto  the  LORD. 

'•  c  l^a  particular  I  added, That,  llnce  I  owed  alliny 
(  good  Things  to  the  Gomp&fjivte  ofGoi>,  1.  would 
e  always  be  contriving  hoiv  to  bonor  II  /,  .17,  and 
'  would  procure  fome  I'ejlimony  agalrifr  foiiie  com- 
(  irionEvils;in  the  Land  which  are  bffenlive  to  HIM. 

;  '  AND  fmce  it  was  the 'Mediation  of  CHRIST  un- 
e  to  which  I  owed  the  Procurement  of  all,  I  would 
'  preach  a  Sermon,  the  Scope  of  which  Ihould  be  to 

*  magnify  the  LORD   Jrsvs  CHRIST,   and  invite  the 
c  Minds  of  Men  to  an'slfuluous  Comei^pi^ion  of.  his 
c  Glories  '.- 

TMF.  Ti-iircl  and -hft  T  flip.ll-v  ; ';-,:;  n  i  e  nvr.re 

particularly  dclrribcd  than  tlv.1  rcit"/  tu-cauic  ('  f  ii. ' 
thing  more- fuu'ular  and  inili-ti.-'  i\c-  iu  it. 
•'  ON  th  i  ccnficlered  thatarby  tht 

'  of  GOP,  I  iluiuld  lx'c<  me  like  rhc  >y>oJ  ./hiuih  ; 
*"  thus  it  was  a  very  re.-if"  nr:l>!e  '1'hir:-',  that  '  i!:<  UK! 

;  oi!'  r  -r     •:.,ci;!,v.-x:i:::.i-v;  raitcs  la  Him  jcr  ILi:  A;-- 

•'J 


€  I  faw  that  the  Scriptures  mentioned  the 
c  of  the  good  Aflgeh,  about  the  Hfirs.  of 
e  with  Frequency  ;  and  I  faw  that  my  Life  had 
r  wonidrouUy  fignalized  by  the  Miniitry  of  thofe  A»- 
e  gels.  Wherefore  loth  to  be  guilty  of  fuch  an  \m- 
e  thou,ghtfiul  Neglect  of  the  '<Aagek*&  the  Generality 
tf  of  the  Faithful  who  enjoy  the  Affirmances  of  thofe 
e  Heavenly'  'Guardians  are,  I  devoted  this  Day  to' 
c  glorify  the  GOD  and  Father  of  my  LOR'D  JESUS 
<  CHRIST  for  the  Mniftry  of  ANGELS,  which 
c  has  notably  befriended  me  unto  this  very  E)ay.  And 
e  I  expe&ed  in  this  Way  not  only  to  render  my  felf 
c  more  agreable  to  thofe  excellent  Spirits  >  but  alfo  to 

*  obtain  from'  their  and  my  LORD  a  more  fignal  fhare 
c  of  their  Influence  than  had  ever  ye^  been  granted 
»  me. 

f  IN  the  Evening  before  this.  Day,  I  was  amttz*£ 
c  when  I  beheld,  but  happy  that  I  plainly  beheld,  the 
e  happening  of  feveral  Things  that  fecmed  as  it  were 
•?  contrived  on  Purpofe  to  indifpofe  me  for  the  Duties 

*  now  before  me  r  But  I  comfortably  got  over  all  the 
e  Indifpofitions. 

c  TWILL  be  necdlefs  to  relate  how  many  Hymns  I 

*  fang  referring  to'  the 


e  IN  the  Morning  I  wrote  an  Iljuftration  upon  3 
c.  Text  about  the  good  Aygeh  :  And  I  made  my 
c'  %M-:ily-Qfering  fuitable  to.  the  Defign  before  me. 

(  AND  one  Law  which,  I  hid  upon,  my  felf  this 
c  Day  was,  that  y\allthc  Intervals  of  more  fiated 
c  T^jinkingi  as  I  paffedfrom.  oae  Object  to  another, 
^  I  would  make  Ejaculatory  7%Mks£tyin^s  unto  the 

*  LORD  upon  all  th6  Occafions  which  offer'd  thcm- 
*.  felves  unto  me.    But  how  many  Scores  of  Ewrula- 

*  tions  thus  occafionally  ackiiowleging  the  Greatnefe. 
e  and  Goodnefs  of  GOD  pailed  from  nit  this.  Daya  I: 
^  cannot  reckon. 

c  MY  chief  Exercifc  in  the  Forenoon  was,  To  con- 
c  fider  exactly,  and  wkh  as  much,  of  Scripture  and. 

^      '  f  Lear:5 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER,  119 

f  Learning  a$  I  could,  the  Exigence,  the  Properties 
<  and  the  Relations  of  the  good  Angels  ;  and,  the 
*  Honor,  but  HQtWcrJbip,  due  to  thole  benign  Spirits  : 
f  And  ^hen  to  run  over  the  marvellous  References  to 
'  their  Aiiniftry  which  1  nave  here  and  there  found 
(  festered  in  the  Oracles  of  Go«  ;  whether  towards 
f  particular  Saints  or  towards  the  Cburcfi  in  General. 
'  Thefe  Confederations  with  a  vaft  Variety  took  in 
c  the  chit-f  of  the  Story  of  the  Bible  together  v.lth  th-j 
(  jlpocalyptical  Prophecies,  efpecially  in  the  Trumpets 
«  and  Vials,  wherein  ^/,,  ;...-•;.,  aie  concerned.  But  my 
c  Considerations  were  ftill  directed  unto  the  LORI> 
*•  with  my  Defires,  that  HE  mould  forever  be  rna.^  • 
e  nified  and  glorified  for  the  Thingsrin  which  he  had 
*•  thus  comuniliioned  his  A/igeh  to  be  his  Mclfcngers 
6  and  his  Instruments. 

c  I  cannot  fully  exprefs  the  Elevation  of*  So  u  I,  with 
«  which  I  went  thro*  thefe  noble  Exercifcs  ;  which 
^  Exercifes  at  lafi  I  concluded  with  Ailuranccs,  that 
c  I  Ihould  one  Day  come  to  fraife  H  I  M  that  fers 
r  upon  the  T'hrone  and  the  Lamb  in  the  Company  of 
^  his  holy  Angeh  forever. 


c  IN  the  Afternoon,!  looked  over  t 
^  of  Merciei  received  from  the  GOB  of  Heaven.,  which 
c  I  had  heretofore  entred  into  my  Zii  tries  ;  and  by 
f  comparing  of  what  I  read  in  the  Book  of  Heaven 
*  about  the  Agency  of  the  An&eli,  I  examined  /A  here 
e.  I  might  make  an  Allowance  for  their  iuboidinatG 
'-.  Agency  in.  my  own  Affairs. 

c  THE  main  Heads  of  Kin.lncll  done.  for  me  which 
c-  the  Word  of  (JOB  permitted  me  to  count  d.i- 
1  gelical  were  thefe. 

c  I.  I  have  Reafon  to  think,  that  the  'Parental  Go- 
e  vernmsnt,  which  in  my  Childhood  was  a  tho'ifard 
^  Ways  a  Bldfing  to  me  lu.l  a  Bials  VCJA  ofccn  given 
ft  to  it  by  the  A*ge*$  of  (Jor. 

(^  i  confidered    7nJ.  xiii.    ii.  i;.  and  Mat.  ii.  i  :. 


'  II.  I  have  bin  prefervpd  in  and  from  many 
f  gt;'s  whi1  '  T  ,vas  yet  a  i  >^V  /  by  the  Angels 
s  ing  after  me. --- 1  con&kred  .<>&/.  XVIII.  10. 

c  III.  IN  my  Education  I  was  wonderfully  circurn- 
e  ftanced  by  Helps"  and  Means  of  Learning,  by  a  Ca'- 
e  pacity  to  Learn  and  kind  Conduct  of  Tutor s3\\\\\ch 
c  the  Angels  doubtlefs  influenced.  —  I  coniidered 
e  Gen.  XXL  17.  18.  19. 

c  IV.  WHEN  Epidemical  Sicknefs  have  carried  off 
e  many  of  my  Neighbours,  arid  I  have  bin  in  the 
c  midftofthem,  I  have- been  kept  unto  this- Day,  by 
c  the  Angels  about  me.  —  I  confldered  'Pfal.  XCI.  3 . 4. 

f  V.  I  have  made  many  jfmirneys  and  never  yec 
c  came  to  any  Harm  in  any  of  them  :  The  Angels 
c  were  my  Keepers.  --*  I  coniidered  'Pfal.  XCI.  n.  iz. 

c  VI.  I  was  bleffed  with  an  early  Converfiott  to 
f  Gon';  and  the  biefled  SPIR-IT  has  bin  ever  finc'e 
c  wondroufly  at  Work  upon  my  Soul  to  fit  me  for 
e  the  Society  of  Angels  in  a  better  World.  Here 
e  wa;s  a  Jo\ 3  and  as  to  many  Circumftances.,  a  Work 
<  of  Angels.  —  I  coniidered  Luk,  X  V.  10. 

f  VII.  MY  Call  to  the  JMnifiry  of  the  Gofpel, 
c  and  tne  Hearts  of  People  being  fo  diipoled  that  I 
e  have  had  my  Call  in  fo  remarkable  a-  Place  as  where 
*"  my  Lot  is  cait^  has  bin  a  Thing  full  -of  Wonder*, 
e  and  I  don't  fear  to  fay  full  of  Angels'.-—  1  confi- 
f  dered  MJsXVI.  9.  10. 

f  VIII.  THE  Door  of  UttcraKce  Opened  for  me 
c  hath  fome  furprifing  things  in 'it,  which  1  am  cer*- 
c  tain  have  proceeded  from  the  Angels  of~GoD.  —  I 
s'  ccnfidered  Luk.  I.  ab.'  Jfa.'  VI.  6.  7.  ' 

*"•  IX.  Mv  (Irange  Opportunities  -to..'  do   Good  end 

c  and  iirvj  the  Church  of  CHRIST  both 'byjpeakirfg 

-  ;   £i:d  the  Imbulfe^  I  have«  -oftea   had 

f  i?. nor. 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  121; 

f  upon  my  Mind,  at  which  I  have  often  bin  ama^'  1 

*  There  has    bin  the  Energy  of   Angels  in  theft' 
(  Things.—  I  confidered  Alt.  x.  30,3 z.  Aft.  viiL  29! 

'  • 

c  X.  MY  Marriages  have  bin  under  the  Direction 
f.  of  Angels ,  and  the  Condition  of  my  Family  alfo.  --- 

r  I  confidered  <Se;;.  xxiv.  7. 

. 

•  c  XI.  Tna  Provision  of  c,  jF bod-  convenient  for  me 
have  frequently  bin  fo  ftrangely  tim'd.,  that  I  were 
blinder  than  a  Hone  if  I  fhould  not  fee  Angels  my 
Providers,  ---  I  eonhdered .(Pfal.  Ixxviii.  15. 

*  XII,  UNREASONABLE  Men  that  hat 
no  Faith  have  Zealoufly  fought  my  Ruine  for  my 
Faithfulnefs  to  the  Intereft  of  CHR  is T  ;  but  I  havd 
had  an  Hoft  of  Angels  for  my  Guard.  —  I  confi 
dered  Gen.  xxxiii.  4.  and  'Dan.  vi.  12, 

c  XIIL  MY  loft  Health  has  bin  reftoredand  prolon 
ged  ;  Have  not  the  Angels  bin  my  T ' 
1  confidered  John  v,  4. 


c 


*  XIV.  MANY  a    Time   have  I  hin   ready  to  do 

-  thofe  Things  which  would :h'avc  bin  very  contrary 

*  to  GOD'S  Glory  as  well  as  pernicious  to. rny   own 
•*'  Welfare ;   but   I  have  bin    ftrangely  hundred  :  Ey 
c  whom  ?  Truly  the  Angels  of  the  LOR  r.  — I  confi- 
f  dered  Numb.  xxii.  32. 

c  SUCH  Things  as  thefel  did  with  multiplied  Jfalle- 
*•  lujafos  acknowlegc  on 'my'  Study  Moor  before  the 
c  LORT.  And  in  the  midft  of  my  rapturous  I;raifcfs 
e  I  could  not  forbear  faying,  'Blcjs'tke  lA}R*JJ3  O 

c  rny  St id,  an.-}  forget  net  ail  ////  'ftvrtrs  \  And.,  if 
f  any  s;o<>J  An^th   of  the    f.  O  R'2)  v  atgb 

*•  HKo'mr,  'Do  You  al,  o  /•/.?/ j   the  LO  R .  LL>  VP  I&J- 
S  verily  Mix  Alters  ;•  A*'1  O;,,  aJcae  tl  \  cf 

,  •:;  .'     . 

fore 

' 

•  ft 

k  £0  M 


Vbe  Life  of 

f  FROM  hence  I  went  on  to  Supplications  tuat 
r  the  great  GOD  would  go  on  more  than  ever  to 

*  employ  His  good  Angeh  for  my  GOOD,  which  \ 

*  alfo  then  particularized  in  many  Articles  ;  and  that 

*  Hi  alfo  would  prefcrvp  m$  from  the  Illufions  and 
f  Injuries  of  Evil  ones. 

c  I  then;  confidc-red*  What  Returns  I  fbould  make 
f  unto  the  LORD  for  the  Benefits,  which  I  have  reeei- 
f  ved  by  His  Angels.  And  here  I  tho'c  on  the 

*  MefTage  which  an  Angel  bro't  from  Heaven  unto 

*  one  of  his  Fellow  Servants  towards  the  dole  of  a 
r  Day  fpent  in  extraordinary  Devotions,    ^bou  art 
*<  &  definable  MAN.    [  %)*#.  ix.zg.  ]  So  I  fpent  arc. 

*  Hour  or  two  in.  confidering  what  would  render  me. 
f  fuch  a  Man. 

c  ONE  ^pecial  Thing  wherein  I  propofed  unto  my, 
c  lelf  a  way  to  become  Atfir  cable  was  to  become  An*\ 

*  gelical. 

g  —  Accordingly  I  confidered  ; 

c  How  the  Aagels  were  continually   engaged  ID. 

*  beholding  and  admiring  the   Glories  of  the   great 
f.  GOD.  \_Mat.  xviii.  10.  ] 

e  How  T'he^  y  were  continually  ftudying  the  Myjle- 
*.  ries  of  JRedemption  by  JESUS  CHRIST  with  the 
r.  Characters  andApproaches  of  His  Kingdom. 

'' 


'  How  T^jey  were  continually  upon  the  Wing  to 
c.  go  upon  the  Errands  of  the  King  of  Heaven.  [  ^PfaL 
c,  ciii.  20,  21.  ]j 

'  How  I'foey  were  continually  doing  of  Good  a- 
r  mong  the  People  and  Churches  of  the  LOR  DJ,  [//<.£„ 


*  How  tfbey  took    particular   Satisfaction   in 
c,  Converfion  of  miferable  Sinners,  [  Luk.  xv.  10.  ] 

e  How  the  Anzfh,  in  fine^   were  very  Holy.~-—»v 
c  Thefe  Things  I  confidered  for  my  own  Imitaticu.-  ' 

<  BUT   for  the  Clofe  of  all  ;    becaufe    I   tho't  it 
*  would  be  ii  little  Angelica  1  1   2?  well  as  otherwifc 


JDlr,  COTTON  MATHER? 

f  agreaMe,  I  topfc  a  Lift  of  many  poor  People  in 
f  my  Flock  with  fome  Care  to.  have  their  Neceffi- 
*  ties  relieved  againft  the  approaching  Winter  ".  - 
AND  fo  the  Day  ended, 

3.  IT?  is  impoffible  for  me  to  tell  how  many  VI 
GILS  Dr.  MATHER  kept,  he  not  always  peeping  an 
Account  of  them  :  I  (hall  therefore  only  in  general  let 
you  know  that  he  frequently   in   former   Years  con-' 
yerfcd  with  his  SAVIOVR  in  the  Night  Watches, 

HE  considered  that  the  Primitive  Chriftians  in  O- 
bcdience  to  that  Command  of  Wdtcbing  unto  Trayer 
fomctimes  had  their  VIGILS  which  were  of  great  Ufe 
tmto  them  in  their  Chriitianity.  To  Ipend  agoo4 
£art  of  a  Night  new  and  then  /';;  'Prayer^  and  fo  take 
the  Advantage  of  unoffurnal  Solitude,  2nd  abridge 
themielves  of  their  ufual  Reft,  for  the  fake  ofa  devout 
Converfation  with  Heaven  ;  They  found  COD,  re 
warding  them  and  the  Devotions  of  luch  VIGILS 
with  a  more  than  ordinary  Degree  of  Heavenly  Con- 
folation.  And  ib  the  ZDoffor  likcwife  found  it.  He 
has  frequently  withdrawn  from  his  Lodging  agreable 
enough  unto  Him,,  and  in  the  Dead  of  the  Night  has 
retired  unto  his'Study  ;  where  he  has  thrown  himfelf'' 
on  his  Floor  in  the  Duft,  and  wrcflled  with  liiin  in 
Grayer  for  a  great  while  together.  In  doing  thus 
he  was  rewarded  with  unutterable  Communications 
from  Heaven. 

4.  I  will  here  give  my  Reader  the  Refult  of  three 
Self- Examinations,  which  I  find  in  the  LDotfor's  Pa 
pers,  and  which  will  lx>  fufFi.cient  t,o  l>.ow  how   he 
proceeded   in  that  Exercile. 

I  find  in  Gtocofhi&Sel/'-Examittario'iS)  preparatory 
to  aCommunion,  what  follows  recorded. 

c  I  find  ;  [i.~l  NOT  only  my'/.:  l-rftaiidin^  fces,but 
c.  my  Will  chufc'S  the  great  GOD  as  my  beft  Good 
6  and  my  lad  End. 

e,  i.  MY 


124  yt>*  &fi  °f 

c  r.  MY  laterejl  in  HIM  is  my  gttateft  Wtjh 
6  Joy.    According  to^fal.  xvi.  5,6.  *Pfif.  ixxiii.Z). 
c  Lam.  'iii.  45.  Jfa.  xxvi.  15. 

*  Objett.  THEN  You  would  be  more  careful  and 
c  earnerl  for  fecuring  it. 

c  Anfw.  i.  I  tswrn  under  and  ft-ive  againft  my 
r  own  coidncfsj  and  endeavour  to  Air  up  my  felf. 

c  2'.'  MY  Zeal  to  mate  lure  of  any  othtr  Enjoy- 
5  ment  is  net  fo  lively  as  to  make  Cure  of  this. 

e  z.  I  do  heartily  embrace   and  propofe  the  Glory - 

*  fyivg  Him^as  the  main  Defign^upon  which  1  would 
f  be  and  live  and  work. 

f  Queft.  HO  W  do  you  know  tbat  ? 

c  i.  BY  my  frequent  and  adlual ' ^Dedications  tp 

*  his  Glory. 

<  BY  the  Difpofition  of  my  Soul  in  ^Prayer  for 
c  any  Mercy ;  abbvc;ail  for  that  Mercy. 

c  3.  BY  my  exceeding  Sgtfsfaffion,  when  I  fee 
r  GOD  acknowledged,  efpecially  when  by  ne3  or*f^ 
c  my  means. 

c  [*•]  WITH   much  Deteftation  I  rejecl:  all  that 

*  which  hath  made  any  Separation  between  the  Lori  B 
'  and  my  Soul.  —Siti  is  that  accurfed  I'hing,  I&. 
'  lix.  2.    Wherefore — I  lament  it ;   I-  abhor  it  i    I 
f  labor  to  avoid  it. 

c  [3.]  I  efifay  to  come  unto  JESUS  CHRIST  ti*e 
c  ever-glorious  Mediator  that  I  may  be  inflated  in 
c  the  full  Enjoyment  of  GOD,,  According  to  John 
'  xiv.  *. 

€  i.  THIRSTY  after  the  Fountain  of  Life  in-  Gap, 
c  to  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST  as  tbeWty. 

f  2.  I  would  have  none  but  HIM  to  be  my  SA- 
<  VIOUR.  • 

c  3.  I  am  free  that  HE  fho«;ld .  execute  every  one 
f  of  all  his  Offices  in  the  accomplifliing  of  my  Salva- 
c  tion.  BleiTid  be  the  LORD,  who  has  not  left  me 
c  deffcitute  of  his  Eternal 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER,'  ti5 

*  T  em  ploy  *d  a  Collection  of  Marks  which  I  haci 
r  lying  by  me  ;   I  proceeded  by  diretl  rather  than 
f  reflex  ones  ;  That  is  to  lay,  Examining   whether.! 
f  had  done  thefe  and  thofe  good  things,  I  put  it  put 
c  of  Doubt  by  doing  them  over  again.      Incredible 
f  Satisfaction  and  I  hope  ibme  Satisfaction  was  the 
c  EfFedt  of  thefe  blcffed  ExercifeS  ". 

THE  Refult  of  the  fecond  Self-Examination',  which 
I  promifcd,  I  find  written  as  follows. 

c  ASKING  the  Help  of  Heaven  in  this  Warkt  thac 
c  if  I  were  yet  unfound  I  was  defirous  to  begin  the 
e  Work  of  Converfion  again,  and  anew  go  over  all  the 
f  forrowful  Hours  which  I  had  feen  in  that  Wprk  : 
f  But  that  if  I  law  my  own  Sincerity,,  my  Hands  would 
f  thereby  be  ilrengthned  in  ttfe  Warfare  to  which  I 
'  am  called. 

c  I  then  found  fuch  Things  as  thef?^  wfiich  made 
c  me  hope  that  the  LOR  D  had  begun  a  never  dying 
'  Work  of  his  Grace  upon  my  Soul. 

c  i.  THE  Supreme  De'lgn  and  Defire  of  my  Soul 

c"  is,  that  GOD  may  ou  fo-ever  glorious. 

'  INFERIOR  En!s  are  become  def-Icabb 
f  in  my  Eyes  ;  and  I  apprehend  thcfe  to  be  che  vileit 
c  Fools,  who  livs  tnty  junto  tb'emfelves. 

c  THE  Voice  of  my  Soul  is,  Ob,  1-t  tbe  L  0  R 2) 

c  he  magnified  !  Hence  I  am  contriving  every  F/°ek9 
e  every  'Dav  and  -peihaps  oftner  than  fo3  Wvat  can 
f  I du  jcr  ~tba  Natnt  cj  GO  Z. 

*  HF.NCK  my  'Z'kirft  after  an  Enlargement  in  the  ' 
*  Service  ofGor_,  and  after  the  JE-'ijaywent  of  my  own 

r  Sih-itl')/),  does  then  afcer  the  mole  melting  Manner 
/  tranfport  me,  wK'en  I  think ^  Hereby   the  Glory  of 
c  the  infinitely  amiable  G  02)  will  be  difcovereJ! 


*  HENCE    thofe  Things  by  which  the  Glory  of 
ff  GOD  is  oblcured  and  eclipfed;  efpccially  thofe  curfed 

*  Zufts  of  mine  which  have  robbed  the  LORD  of  that 
e  Glory  that  I  might  have  bro't  HIM,  do  vex  and 

*  cut  my  very  Soul  within  me. 

f  Finally,  MY  Heart  rejoices  in  any  Revenues  olf 

*  Glory  bro't  any  way  to  the  LORD  :   I  feel  my   own 
f  Intereft  gratified  by  it,  and  fee  my  belt  Friend  ho- 
f  nored  and  advanced. 

€  2.  MY  Heart  is  infatiably  f  ft/fag  after  this  fc:g& 

*  Attainments  of  Religion. 

,  *  OH  !  When  I  confider  what  it  is  to  converfe  with 
e  G02)  continually ;  and  not  only  to  be  living  always 
e  with  and  upon  and  unto  the  LORD.,  but  alfo  to 
c  love  no  Creature  except  in  HIM,  and  for  Hi MJ 
c  and  to  have  HIM  for  my  All  in  all,  My  Heart 
r  fprings  at  it.  I  cry,  I  ftrivCj  LOR.2J,  let  me  thus 
e  draw  mar  unto  THE  £. 

c  And  herein  the  LORD  gives  me  Fome  Experience 
e  that  is  exceeding  deilreable. 

c  Fon  when  I  have  bin  mightily  carried  forth  iti 
c  my  publick  Difpenfations  I  have  taken  Comfort  : 
e  In  what  ?  Not  that  any  Gifts  of  Mins  have  been 
f  leen,  but  that  the  Tower,  the  Wifdom,  the  Good- 
G  nefs  and  T'rv.th  of  the  glorious  GOD  have  glitter'd 
c  tbro'  me  as  thro'  a  forry  Latithcrn  to  the  View  of 
c  many  Hundreds  at  a  time.  This  even  diilolves  my 
c  Heart  and  caufes  me  to  love  that  GOD  who  has  ho- 
e  nored  HIMSELF  by  me. 

c  HENCE  alfo  my  Spirit  grows  more  unconcerned 
c  about  keeping  or  lofing  any  Creature  Comforts, 
f  \Confolatiunculas  Credtuntlas ; "]  for  I  can  enccuragt 
<  tsyftlf  in  the  LOR®  »j  G  0  2). 


t)r.  COTTON  MATHER.  ki$ 

*  -5.1  drive  a  continual  Track  of  the  rnoft  exacT,  «c- 
£/*'«>  Addrcffes  unto  the  Lord  JESUS  CHRIST, 
vrho  is  the  Mediator  between  GOD  and  Man  ;  fol- 
liciting  HIM  to  accompliftv  the  great  Work  of 
bringing  my  G  O  2)  and  my  Soul  together,  and  fulfil 
all  his  Offices  in  the  Doing  of  it; 


f  4.  MY  Refpcti  unto  t  be  Commandments  of  G 

*  is  Univerfal.     Be  a  Precept  never  fo  difficult  and 
c  fo  likely  to  be  recoiled^  by  Plepto.  Shod,  if  I  Ccc 
'c  if  is  GO2)'s,  my  Soul  lays.,  *2ts  Good\  let  me  Obey 

*  if  till  Idy  \ 

<  5.  LET  rny  o-ivft  Iniquity  affauit  me  with  never  fo 

*  much  Vehemence  andf  Violence,  I  never  let  go  the 
c  Combat  :    But  if  I  am  foiled,  /  mourn,  I  am  &um- 
e  bkdy  lam  grieved  exceedingly  ;  and  with  extreme 
f  Ardor  and  Anguiih,  I  keep  crying  unto  Heaven  for 
c  Help  ;  refolving  fo  to  do  while  I  have  a  Day  to 

*  Live.  —  Wherefore,,  2ttejs  the  Lord,  O  my  Scul  1  " 

IN  the  third  and  lafl  Examination,  which  I  fhall 
mention,  his  Soul  (allies  forth  unto  thefe  three  AB:^ 
cf  elevated  Chriftiatrity. 

-c  (i.)  LORD,  I  am  fo  fatisfied  in  the  infinite  Glory 
e  and  Great  nefs  of  my  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,  and  of 
<  Thy  infinite  Regard  to  Him,  that  I  wholly  give  up 
'  my  ftif  unto  thatilluftrious  LOPVP  ;  and  I  pitch  up- 
f  on  it  as  my  chief  Happinels  to  ferve  Him  forever, 

(^,)  LORD,  I  am  in  fuch  ill  Terms  with  my  Sin» 
c  that  I  moft  heartily  give  Thanks  unto  THEE  for 
f  the  moft  bitter'  and  bumbling  Difpenfations  of  thy 
f  <Pr  evidence  towards  me  that  have  any  Tendency 
e  to  mortify  it.  ** 


fc      r  fj.)  LORDJ  I  will  always  be   at  TForklor  THEE, 

-"e  and  be  fo  far  from   thinking'  much   of  any  Work, 

*  which  I  may  do  forTuKE,  that  whatever  Stffferi*gs 

do  befall  me  for  thefcke  of  that  Work,  I  will  re- 

*  joy^c 


Xft«  ¥he  'Life  of 

f.  joice  in  them  -exceedingly  " —  Thefe  three  Setf- 
EptmittAtions  will  give  you  a  Specimen  of  his  Proce 
dure  in  that  Employment. 

5.  II IS  Morning  Tho't,s3  manner  of ff ending  Sa 
turday '-Afternoons,  -and  Method  cj  Sabbeiti- 
•zin&y  his  Reading  of  the  Scriptures  and  Applica 
tion  of  the  Tromifes,  Employment  oj  bi*>  Mind  at 
.  .  the  Eucharifly  with  his  'Prayers,  at  the  Sacrq- 
ment,  tys  Mentioning  for.  three  Favcrs,  and  his 
Refolution  for  a  Walk  with  GO T>. 

[r.~|  I  have  already  written  of  the  Jlated  Courfe  of 
Thinking  he  obferved  for  everyMorning  in  the  Week : 
I  Ihall;  here  )uft  -let  you  know, .  that  die  Doctor  con- 
iiantly,  befides  his  Reflexions  upon  *he  Queftion-  for 
the  Morning  fixed  his  \Rifwg  &0o?fi  in  the  Corn 
ing  jipon  fome  Scripture,  which  might  be  of  ipecial 
Confequence  to  his  belt  Interefrs. 

ONE  Example  may  ferve  for  all  here  :  The  Text 
he  chefe  for  one  Morning  was  that  in  ZecJo.  xiii.  i. 
On  which  his  Tho'ts  were  under  thefe  Heads  ; 

i.  THE  Shod  of  the  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST  is  fitly 
compared  unto  a  Fountain. 

z.  JTis  an  open  .Fountain.     ;  ( 

3.  THE  End  of  it  is  the   Washing  -away  of  Sin. 

4.  S  I N  is  therefore  to  be  looked  on  as  the  vikft 
'{Jncleannefs, 

IT  would  take  up  too  much  Room  here  to  defcribe" 
at  large  this  Method  and  the  Ufefulnefs  of  it :  AH  I 
iliall  add  about  it  is,  that.  Dr.  MATHER  .went. over 
many  Portions  and  Chapters  of  the  Bible  in  this 
Method,  and  handled  multitudes  of  Cafes  referring  to 
the  molt  important  Points  in  Chriftianity. 

[2.]  HE  had  a  particular  holy  Way  of  fpending 
the  Afternoon  of  Saturdays. 

-—His  Method  was  this  ;  , 

i.  MAKING  ;/,m  'Pr avers. 

Tut 


Dr,  GOTTOST  MATHER?  jr*? 

THE  firft,  ("-as  he  begun  other  Afternoons  )  con- 
lifting  of  'Pi'aiji'S  unto  GOD  for  his  Akrcies  unto 
Him/  and  his  Rcquejls  on  the  behalf  of  others, 

**v 

THE  fecorvd,  conuftlng  of  more  fignal  Cenverfa 
v/ith  GODJ  in  renewing  of  Coven&nt  and  CloRires 
with  JESUS  CHRIST  and  the 


third,  conilfting  of  'Pttirtoits  relating  to  th« 
fll  Capacity,  in  which  he  was   placed,  and 
particularly  the  Services  of  the  Day  enfuing-. 


?.:  THINKING  cnihac.Quea.onj      &4#  is  i-t 
1  am  further  -to  dojor  tile  N'am^o 


on  the  Truths  of  Goiij 
clpecially  iuch  as  bgwas  to  deliver  on  the  Mcrrow. 


4.  RE  Art  KG  of  jRooks  and  Singing   of  Hymn 
which  his  <$n>.ie-$  might  be  'exerciied,  "  Hefpcntinsny 
Blc/Ied  Afternoons  and  kept  Records  of  than, 


[:  1  .HAVING  fpokeh  concerning  -Sturdily 
9{cons  "\  it  is  natural  to  enquire  hvx  i,e  Jpe^f  / 
bath  ?  w 

I  will  here  give  you  what  I  find,  the  various 
ercifcs  he  went  thro'  on  but  VH$ 


HAVING  the  Evenmg  before  laid  afide  all  Affairs 
that   might    be  any  En>.  nrnbrance   to    !\im,   hav 
devoted  the  Evening  to  the  ExercHes   of  Pievv,  and 
charged   His  Family   to  make  '!'  \\   the 

Sabbath;  Hi  the  Morning  he  awoke  .- 
another  Sat'l'tit/J^And  arole  earlier  than  on  otherDj 
g 

HF.  confidercd  his  ufu;ii  .Qiteflfau  For  the  Morn' 
tybat  flail  I  :lv  for  rl.  ••  !  ht  }•'•  <k  that  J  h 

un.hr  A'/V  Charts*  He  Hinc;  h'i5  Moy-'ifi^  //>w/-S  21   J 
r;  down  into  his  btudy  wrote  his  yAy-;rer  ru  hj| 

K  HE, 


13©  ^he  Life  of 

Hs,  applied  himfelf  to  his  Maker,  as  for  the 
don 'of  his  former  Trefpafles  on  His  holy  Day  of Reft  > 
thro'  the  'Blood  of  him  who  is  the  LORD  of  it,  fo  for 

Grace  from  H  i  M  now  to  fanctify  his  Day. 
/ 

THROUGHOUT  the  Day,  he  kept  his  T'bo'ts  in  an 
agreable  Employment  and  under  the  nece/Tary  Gover*- 
tnent.  When  he  was  not  engaged  in  any  extended 
Ex^rcife  of  Devotion,  he  was  continually  forming 
.Admonitions  tfPiety  from  occafional  Objects  and 
Occurrences  ;  Every  Thing  about  him  preached  unjo 
him,  and  he  ufually  turned  the  Leflbns  into  Ejacula- 
tory  'Prayers.  If  he  /bund  his  Mind  begin  at  any- 
Time  to  ly  fallow  and  empty  of  good  T'tio'ts,  he  pre- 
fently  rebuked  it  and  renewed  them.  If  any  evil 
jT/.'oV;  began  to  make  the  leaft  Approach  to  hisMind> 
he  prefently  bewailed  it  and  rejected  them^  and  raifed 
good  ones  contrary  to  them. 

HE  fo  took  heed  againft  Sinning  •ustT'h  'his  Tongue, 
that  he  did  not  utter  one  Word  on  the  Day,  but  what 
he  tho't  he  did  well  to  fay. 

HE  wrote  an  Illuflration  upon  a  Text  ofthefacred 
Scripture. 

HE  read  a  fuitable  Portion  of  the  Old  Tefta&ett  iri 
trie  Hebrew  Language.  Another  in  the  French.  And 
then  a  iuitable  Portion  of  the  New  T'ejtament  in  the 
Greek. 

THEN  he  made  the  Morning  'Prayer  of  his  Study. 

His  Breakfaft  (  which  was  as  his  other  Meals  ilen- 
der  )  being  bro't  him,  his  Food  was  received  with 
Praik'S  to  GOP,  and  Meditations  on  the  nobler  Pro- 
vifions  which  He  had  made  for  his  better  Part. 

WITH  the  like  Difpofitions  and  Meditations  he 
anon  rock  the  ether  two  Meals  of  the  Day. 

HE  went  down  to  his  Family,  fang  and  frayed 
with  them. 

HE  gave  Charges  to  his  Family  to  remember  the 
Sabbath  tDay  and  keep  it  holy.  And,  to  the  very 
imall  Children  that  were  to  flay  at  home,  he  affign'c! 
Sentences  of  the  JBibie  to  be  cot  by  Heart. 

Ha 


JDr.  COTTON  NETHER;  i^k 

HE  returned  Ito  his  Study,  and  pray'd  that  the  pub- 
'lie  Sacrifices,  to  which  he  was  going  might  be  pro 
fitably  and  acceptably  carried  on. 

HE  went  unto  the  Public,  where  his  venerable 
Parent  performed  the  public  Miniftrations,  The  very 
'£ell  put  him  in  Mind  of  the  joyful  Sound,  here  he 
gave  fuchAtterition  that  not  onePanage  of  the^Vrfjj  f r| 
hot  one  Head  or  "fext,  and  (carce  one  Sentence  in  the 
Sermon  parted  without  his  Mind  nioving  towards 
Heaven  with  an  adapted  Cunfefjion  or  'Petition  upon 
it.  And  every  Verfc  of  the  'Pfalm  he  accompanied 
with  a  Note  and  a  ^Prayer  deduced  from  it. 

WHEN  all  was  finished,  he  fet  himfelf  to  form  De- 
fires  for  all  tke  Hearers,  and  the  Defires  and  Refolvea 
for  fas  own  Life  \  and  think  on  thofe  Improvements  i& 
'Piety,  to  which  the  Subject  treated  on  might  lead 
him. 

RETURNING  to  his  Study,  he  read  over  fome  Dif- 
courfes  on  the  great  Sabbatijm  which  the  Church  of 
GOD  is  to  look  for,  and  the  glorious  I'kings  which 
arefpoken  about  the  City  ofGOZ),  and  the  Prophe 
cies  relating  to  the  latter  Days.  This  he  did  (as  he 
ufually  did  )  bccaufe  he  looked  on^  the  Sabbath  as  a 
peculiar  I'y'pe  and  Sign  of  the  blefled  Millennium. 

Goi  NG  to  his  fable,  he  fed  the  SoUls  of  the  Com 
pany  with  as  profitableDifcourfes  as  he  could  entertain 
them  with. 

AND  he  alTo  dre-iv  cut  /;/>  Seal  TO  t7^-  Jin >i^ry  ;  he 
tho't  it  a  Day  proper  to  Uifpenfe  Kindnef!"  s  Unto  the 
Toor  ;  he  was  careful  to  have  fome  luch  invited  uhtp 
his  Table. 

AFTER  this,  he  went  on  to  the  Affairs  of  the 
great  Sabhatifm.  He  read  a  Paragraph  ;ot  Jjripture 
referring  to  it,  with  his  acutefr.  and  mofi  penetntina 
Tho'ts  upon  it  .and  fuitable  Ejaculations  And  he 
fang  an  Hymn  relating  to  it.  , 

THEN  proftrate  in  theDuit,he  pourcJ  out  aPrayer 
(or  /.ion  in  the  2)uJ}>  and  for  thd  Hailenihg  of  the 
Day  of  GOD. 

K  i 


ffa  Life  cf 

this  he  took  the  Sermon  He  was  to  preach 
immediately,  and  run  it  over  fo  that  his  Mind  was 
funned  into  proper  Tempers  and  Wiilies  on  every 
Head  of  the  sermon. 

Hi  then  on  his  Knees  be  waiPd  before  theLoRD  fuch 
Sins  as  me  Sermon  he  was  to  preach  moft  called  him 
to  repent  of  ;  and  pray'd  for  Grace  to  do  ilich  Things 
himleif,  as  his  Sermon  was  to  excite  his  Hearers  to  ; 
and  bcg'd  for  the  Help  of  Heaven  in  the  Work  before 
kirn. 

HE  went  unto  the  public,  and  fpent  about  three 
Hours  in  carrying  on  the  Services  there,  in  a  great 
Afjtmbly  with  great  Alviftance  from  Heaven. 

His  Mind,  between  the  Conclufion  of  the  Services, 
and  his  vtfiting  of  bis  Halitaticn,  was  filled  with 
Prayers  that  what  had  pafied  might  make  due  Im- 
preHions  upon  the  People. 

EXCESSIVELY  tired  he  drank  his  beloved  Te^with 
Frailes  to 'the  glorious  GOD,  and  ibme  Tho'ts  on  his 
precious  Benefits  to  which"  the  Water  led  him. 

Ha  made  a  Prayer  for  fuch  Bleffings  as  he  was  daily 
to  ask  for. 

HE  went  down  to  hi&Pamlty  ;  wherfi  he  catechized 
his  Children  ;  and  wtfnt  thro'  the  Sermons  of  the  Day 
in  a  way  of  Dialogue  with  them  ;  and  fang  and  pray  p 
with  them  and  the  Neighbours  that  came  in  to  join 
with  them. 

THEN  he  caufed  fuch  of  his  Children  as  could  do 
fo,  to  tell  him,  Wbc.t  r.e-iv  Matter  cf  'Prayer  they 
Tt.'fcT?  apprebe'nfive  of?  And  he  charged  them  to  re 
tire  with  it  before  the  LORD. 

HAVING  allo  ordered  one  of  his  Sons  to  hear  the 
Servants  read  &  fay  their  Catechifm  :  he  retired  unto 
his  Study  and  meditated  on  that  Point ;  What  have 
J  left  undone  that  It  would  ie  for  my  Conjoint  ion  and 
S&tisfaftion  to  do  before  I  dy  ? 

HE  read  in  a  Book  of  Piety,  a  Sermon  that  might 
add  unto  the  Heavenly  Tinclure  on  his  Mind. 

HE  was  called  to  fray  with  a  Sick  'Perjbn,  unto 
which  he  went  with  Alacrity  as  unto  a  Duty  of  the 

Hi 


Dr,  COTTON  MATHER.  133 

HE  went  again  to  his  Family,  and  fat  with  them, 
while  each  oi  the  capable  Cmldicn  iuccell:  vely  read 
their  ieveral  parts  of  feme  &cok  of  2jfvotion  to  the 
whole  Family :  And  he  took  Occasion  from  thence 
to  renew  his  Inflruftions  to  them. 

THEN  he  fang  with  his  1  amily  his  Evening  Hymn. 

HE  returned  to  his  Study,  and  in  Prayer  gave 
Thanks  for  the  Mercies  of  the  pail  Day  ,  ami  im 
plored  a  Pardon  for  the  Errors  of  it,  both  of 
which  he  endeavoured  particularly  to  enumerate. 
He  committed  all  his  Interefts  into  the  Hands  rt  his 
<ka,r  SAVIOUR,  and  exerted  a  "Principle  if  Grace  in 
an  Aci  that  vvas'tf/*  undent  T'oken  of  S«lnafi(.n}  that 
might  affure  him  of  his  Safety  if  he  were  to  dy  bei»re- 
the  Morrow. 

Finally,  HE  declared  before  the  LOB.  r,  that  altho* 
fome  had  obfervcd  a  Reward  of  temporal  jbleijittgs 
even  in  the  enfuing  Week  to  encourage  their  Sabba- 
thiin*,  he  had  been  abounding  in  this  Work  of  the 
LORfU  without  the  Encouragement  of  any  fuch 
Expeftation.  If  never  fo  much  Difappointment  or 
Affliction  fliould  befal  him  in  the  Week,  or  in  the  reft 
of  his  Life,  yet  he  would  go  on  in  the  Labors  ej'Sab- 
lati'ziKg  to  him  ;  and  allure  hirr.lelf  that  he  fliould 
find  his  Account  in  tke  Reft  that  remain  for  tl:e 
ffeofls  cf  G0 1);  but  renouncing  all  Pretence  to 
Merit  in  his  own  Performances, 

So  he  went  to  ?  ..ft  j  and  fell  afleep  reading  fome 
divine  Author. 

TT«is  Variety  of  Duty  (  I  find  )  was  dnne  by  him 
on  one  Sabbath  :  And  altho'  he  found  himll-i'f  very 


[4]  W»T?.N  he  read  t-kr.  Scriptures,  he  had   one 
very  holy  and  ufcful  Practice  in  it. 

THIS  was,  a  Courfe  of  R&.'iiH?t   with  f.ich  n 
vout  Attention  as  to  fetch  at  leaft  one  Obj 
-     K  3 


S3*  ,  Xbs  Life  of 

and  one  SuppUcatio»3  (  a  Note  with  a  Wtjb  )  out  o* 
aimoft  every  Verfe  in  the  Bible.  He  had  a  Profpe6t 
of  more  than  a  little  Good  by  it  ;  he  tho't  a  great 
deal  of  'Truth  and  Grace  might  pafs  thro3  his  Soul 
$n  thus  waiting  upon  Gooa  and  his  Profpeft  did  not 
fell  hinv  The  Reading  the  Scriptures  in  fuch  a 
Manner  and  with  fuch  an  Affection  proved  unto  him 
a  moft  glorious  Opportunity  for  Converfing  with 
GOD.  And  he  gave  more  Thanks  to  Heaven  for 
teaching  him  this  way  of  Living  than  if  he  had  the 
greatefl  Earthly  Revenues  bellowed  on  him. 

AND  here  is  a  proper  Place  to  relate  a  Propofal, 
which  he  drew  up  in  the  Manner  a,nd  Words  follow 
ing, 


?  LET  it  be  a  part  of  iny  Bufinefs  every  Day  to  be 
<*  applying  of  the  PROM  ISES.  There  are  certain  fro- 
*..  mifes  that  are  of  continual  Ufe  in  the.  Ckriftictn's 
*  daily  W'ilk  \  and  I  wifh  I  might  evary  Day  have 
c-.  fome.  delightful  Reflefticns  on  feveral  of  them. 


Dty    I  fl:all-  have  Occafion  for  a, 
cfa  Supply  for  all  my  Wants  in  the  Day  : 
Such  an  one  is   that  in  Phil.  iv.  i$.  G.  O  2) 


c  EYE.RT;2)ay  I  mall  have  Occafion  for  a 
'  <Prcraifc  0,  '  Gr.-r  ce  to  manage  the  Day  for  the  Glory 

*  of  GOD.    Such  an  -one  5s  that  in  lech.  x.ia.  I  wilt 

*  flren*tke»  tbtn,  In  the  L^R!Dy  tb?.y  flail  walk  up 
f  &nd  dwcn  In  his  Name  ('ait',:  the  LOR.?). 

<  EVERT  liny  I  v:*.ll  have  Occafion  for  a 
*.  (PromiJre  of  a  growing  Fitfory  over  Sin.     Such  an 
c  one  is   that   in  Mic.  yii,    i.<?.  He  will  fulfdue  ouf 
f  J  1/131.11  ties. 

<  E  VF.  R  TtDay  I  fhould  have  a  Tromif?  of  Sue- 
f  crfs  in  my  UndertaVings.     There  is  one  in  Pfal.  i.  3, 

*  JVbiitfcev:r  he  doth  pall  prof  per. 

<  E^ERT  fZ>*v  1  mould  have  a  Promt  ft  of<Pro~ 

*  tpfficit  from  Dangers,    There  is  one  in  Pfal.  xci.  10. 
e  No  Evil  (fall  befall  thee. 

<  EVERT 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER," 

«•  EVERY  'Day  I  mould   have  a  Promife  of 

Ccunjel  in  my  Difficulties.    There  is  one  in  Pfal. 

xxxii.  8.  Ineillinjlrufithee,  and  I  ".tilt  teach  thee 

in  the  Way  ixlcich  tbou  fiouldft  gc. 

f  EV  ERf  Way  it  were  good  I  lliould  have  a 

'Promife  of  nr  «.  being  the   wcrje  by  whatever  hap- 

pens  to  me.     3Tis  to  betbund  in  Rom.  viii.  2.8.  All 

thing*  {ball  work  together  for  Good. 

c  EV  ERy  Z)ay  I  can't  be  without  a  'Promife  of 

Eternal  Happinefi  ar  my  dying  Day.     Here  it  is., 

Luk.  xii.  32.  It   is  your  Father'*  good  'Plsafure  to 


Kingdom. 

OH  1  That  I  might  often  every  "Day  be  glancing 
c  at  fuch  'Promifes  as  theie  !  It  would  be  H:aven 
c  upon  Earth  to  be  doing  fo  ;  and  it  would  have  a 
e  charming  Efficacy  upon  me  for  the  perJeEfivg  of 
f  Holinefs  in  the  Fear  of  GO  2).  " 


TH  E'Doclor  had  much  Exadtnefs  in  the  Me 
thods  of  employing  his  Mind  at  the  Table  of  the 
LORD.  ----  1  will  here  ttanfcrlbe  only  the  firjt  of  the 
many  Inftances  he  recorded  of  his  more  methodical 
frocceJures  at  the  facred  Table. 

PRAYER  being  finiflicdj  his  Mind  thus  operated  ; 

'  Do  I  need  the  LORD^JESUS  CHRIST  ?  Yes^  iu- 
f  finitely  ;  but  chiefly  on  two  Accounts. 

c  TH-E  Guilt  of  Sin  on  me  is  mountainous  j  none 
'  but  HE  can  remove  it  :  The  'Pciver  of  Sin  in  me 
(  is  marvellous;  none  but  HE  can  fubdue  it. 

f  BUT  am  I  willing  to  have  the  LORB  JFSUS 
'  CHRIST  ?  —-Yes/  molt  heartily. 

'  FOR  there  is  a  drc:idfui  jNeccility  that  the  Mife- 
c  riesof  my  Soul  llrould  be  relieved.-—  Hit,  and  none 
*  but  H-E  can  relieve  them, 

f  I  c'dhnot  iinil*  any  Thin^;  unlovely  m    the   LORD 

c  JF.SUS  CH^IS.T  ;    all  His  $ene/its  'and    Offices    arc 

(  defireable.—  '  And  therrfore,  LORD,  I  am  willing, 

'  (  ARf  T^:u  (',  >,.   Txen  lake  HIV;  foys  the 

c  LORD,  I  give  H  I  M  'to  'Tkie, 

K  4  8v 


Life  *f 

BY  this  Time  the  Sacramental  Bread  was  brought 
unto  Him  to  feal  the  Gift  \  which  He  took  [  and 

eat  ")  accu.ii.;i:gly. 

AND  then  he  proceeded  ;  c  The  LORD  JESUS  is 
e  mine  ;  If  I  am  ready  ro  queftionMt,  I  may  now  fee 
(  and  feel  and  tafte  it.  My  LORD  and  SXVIOUR  I 
f  may  be  fure,  witt  engage  for  my  Good  and  perfect 
'  every  pirt  of  my  Salvation. 

AT  the  AdnuniftradoB  of  the  Wine  \  and  after 
Prayer  : —  Thus, 

'  THF  ftrft  Covenant  is  broken  ;  It  {peaks  nothing 
but  > ,(  nfificn  to  fallen  Man  :  The  gracious  GOD 
therefore  enters  into  a  New  Covenant  which  is  of' 
Grace.  In  it  is  tendered  all  manner  of  Good  for 
Believers  on  CHRIST,  the  Mediator  of  thai 
Covenant. 

e  AM  I  witling  to  come  under  the  Wings  of  this 
Covenant  ?  —  Yes;  LORD,  Thou  hall  rricde  aie 
willing. 

c  I'll  EN,    fays  the,  LORD,  Here  is  the 
fejlament  i&  my 


BY  this  Time  the  Sacramental  Wine  came  unto, 
him  -,  he  drank  of  it,  and  thereby  he  had  all  the  Good 
of  the  Covenant  fcaled  unto  Him.  .  . 


HE  then  proceeded-  ;  f  Now  I  pall  have  Repen- 
r  tance  and  R.emi{]i<M  of  Sim.  Now  all  my  Change* 
c  will  be  well  ordere<l  -for  me.  My  GOD  ivill  guide 
€  me  by'Cwnfel  and  bring  me  to  Glory.  All  the  great 
*  and  prcacus  'Promifes  of  GOP  are  my  Heritage  and 
5  fha$  be  the  .Hcjo>cis,g  of  tsy  Heart-.. 


THIS  one  Infrance  may  teach  us  how  to  manage 
pur  Sa&'amevtal  MiJi^.'ticn,  much  to  our  fpiritual 
ri  r       .  -ermons   which    he     heard    prepa 
ratory  to  lion,.    He  made  very  tubfervient  to. 

bis  Meditations  in  this  Way  of  regularly 
^^m  on  iuch  wleded  Occailons,    ' 


*^.  COTTON  MATHER. 

[V.~]  BUT  when  the  2)otfor  himfelf  adminiftrcd  the 
Xbtckarijtj  his  ^Devotion  was  very  flaming  and  his 
V  -.ye)"}  exceedingly  fervent, 

Hrs  Prayers,  poured  out  at  the  Celebration  of 
th  .  Sacrament  -~v-:re  eli£t(.ttedt  as  GREGORY  NA- 
z. A nz EN  fays  of  his  Fathers,  by  the  Holy  SPIRIT 
if  ".r  O  *D.  He  rarely  adminiftred.  on  fuch  Occafions 
L  ore  the  LOAD  svithout  fignal  Irradiations  of  Mind' 
&nd  very  inlarging  Influences.  He  could  not,  as  net. 
t:>'d  rne,  keep  written  Memorials  ofthofe  I-'aflages  ; 
tcr,  if  hii  Employments  were  not  fo  many  as  to-hin- 
.im,  it  were  next  to  impoffible  to  recollect  and 
evprefi  the warmRequefts,they/ro/^C'r/>i/the  celefiial 
XfapatitioM  of  his.  Soul  when  employed  in  that  hoa- 
venly  i'  ' 


f-.n'HE  has  often  beg-'d  with  irrefiftiblelmportunity 
ST/  '•'  r\vo>"s  of  the  glorious  GOD  ;  in  which  there 
is  i!upl>M  ^//  that  a  Man  need  Jejire  and  leek  after. 

Hrft,  THAT  CHRIST  might  appear   to  him  the 

moll  ,{ i.  ;•/,  :/s  of  Objects. 

Next,  THAT  bin  might  appear  to  him  the  molt 
odious  of  Obje-fts. 

Thirdly.*  THAT  the  heavenly  World  might  be  as 
real  to  him  as  any  Thing  upon  Earth. 

[8."|  I  cannot  conclude  this  Chapter  more  agreably» 
*han  with  his  Resolutions  f*r  his  Walk  with  GO'D  : 
They  being  the  brief  and  full  Recapitulation  of  what 
I  have  written  before  concerning  hiiCoutlancy  in  Re 
ligion. 

*  R  ESO  L  U?I  O  V,9  far  ;,t:y  U'-.lk  'ntk  GO'D  : 
r.  LOKP  Thou  that  workeil  in  me  tu  h\i.3  help  ^nc 
*  to  rejllvt'. 

f  I.  As  to  my  thoughts. 

€  i.  To  endeavor  that  I  will  keep  Gor^   C 
^-  and  Heaven  much  in  my  Tho't.s, 


Life  */ 

'  i.  IN  a  fbecial  manner  to  watch  and  pray  againft 
all  Evil  Tho'is;  elpecially  in  the  Times  of  De- 
votioti. 


f  II.  A*  to  my 

r  i.  To  be  not  of  many  Words j  and  when  I  da 
f  fpeak  to  do  it  with  %)*litierathn. 

f  ^.  To  remember  my  Obligations  to  ufe  my 
^Tongue  as  the  LORD'S  and  riot  my  own  ;  and  there 
fore  to  promote  favoury  ^Jijcourft  if  I  can  where- 
cycr  I  come. 

(  3.  NEVER  to  infwer  any  Queftion  that  is  weighty 
without  lifting  up  my  Heart  to  GOD  in  a  Requcft 
that  HE  would  help  me  to  give  a  right  Anjwer. 
c  4.  To  fpeak  III  of  no  Man>  except  on  a  good 

*  Ground  and  for  a  good  End. 

*  5.  SELDOM  to  make  a  Vifit  without   contriving, 

*  Whet  I  may  doferGOD  in 


r  III.    As  to  my  daily  Courle  of  ^Duties. 

c  i.  To  fray  at  leaft  ?^w^  every  Day. 

*  2.  To  meditate  once  a  Day^afser  a  jboftrinal  and 
f  Applicatory  Manner. 

c  3.  To  make  a  Cuftonx  of  propounding  to  my 
'  felf  thefe  three  ^teflio»s  at  Night  before  I  fieep. 

<  WHA  2"  bath  been  the  Mercy  of  G  O  fJJ  in  the 

*  Z)ay  paft  ? 

c  W  H  AtT  hath  been  my  Carriage  before  GO  2) 
f  i»  the  2)ay  paft  ?  '  AND 

'  IF  Idy  this  Ni^hty  is  my  immortal  Spirit  fafe  ? 

f  4.  To  lead  a  Life  of  conilant  Ejaculations. 

c  5.  To  be  diligent  in  obfervixg  iliuftrioHs  Wro- 
f  violences. 

f  BUT  in  all  to  be  continually  going  to   the  LORD 

•  JESUS  CHRIST  as  the  only  <Pk>fffician  and  Redee- 
e  mer  of  my  Soul. 

c  LORD,  THOU  that  worked  in  me  TO  revive, 
f  help  me  to  perform, 

THUS  I  have  written  of  his  Chriftian  Life  and 
Converfation  j  and  here  conclude  this  Chapter. 

-     •  '     .  •  CHAP, 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER^ 
C  H   A   ?•      VII. 

latter  Days  ;    in    wbicb  bis  Sentiments 

Of  fpj&e  important  Things  arc  mentioned, 
together  with  t  Relation  ofTentper  in  bis  laft 
llittefsandtbeCircumflanctt  of  bis  Death  5 
And  at  tbe  End  a  Catalogue  of  tke  Bwks  be 


SECT.  r.  HIS  way  of  Living  in  bis  latter  2)  ays. 

j,  '  |  ^  HE  very  learned  and  good  DRUSIUS  {ays3 

that  his  Old  A^e  was  better  to  him  than 
JL.  his  Toutb.  So  was  Dr.  MATHER'S  :  He 

was  generally  more-  hearty  in  his  latter 
Years  than  former ;  and,  altho'  he  was  always  very 
temperate 3  in  his  later  Times  he  was  exceedingly  re 
gular  ;  in  every  Thing  but.Readittg  and  Writing^ 
for  he  was  as  constantly  employ'd  in  thefe,as  if  he  had 
but  newly  taken  a  Teu  or  .tfcok  into  his  Hajid. 

2.  Cic£RO.,in  his  Book  of  Famous  Orators 3  (peak 
ing  of  Pi  so  who  when  he  firft  fet  out  got  confides 
able  Fame.,  fays,  that  be  maintained  his  Ground 
t&ile  be  could  labor  and  be  induftrious,  but  continues 
TULLY,  To/lea  quantum  detfaxit  ex  Studio,  tantum 
amijit  ex  Gloria,  h.  e.  As  he  ceafcd  from  his  Study 
be  loft  his  Credit.  Dr.  MOTHER,  as  I  faid  before, 
did  not  abate  his  Studies  ;  and  hence,  he  had  thofe 
dofti  Sale*  and  that  grata  Settetf  us  whichCt-AUDiAN 
admir'd  in  PALLADIUS,  that  is,  he  rendered  himfelf 
agreable  in  Age  by  his  polite  Facetioufnefs  and  the 
Surprifing  Difcoveries  of  his  Reading  and  Wit.  Hence 
likewife  he  WES  carefs'd  by  all  that  knew  him  (  tho* 
In  his  latter  Days  he  ftudiouily  avoir'ed  Company  as 
iiRjch  as  he  could  )  and  was  rcforted  to  by  Perfons 
of  all  Characters  for  his  Directions,  Advice  and  In- 

*.  I 


Life  of 


3-  I  muft  relate  one  Thing  by  which  all  Parent* 
would  do  well  to  receive  Ir.lhufHon,  -'tis  this.;  He 
would  not,  as  I  more  cip^cully  krww  in  hi*  Itnw 
ZDays,  keep  a  mcrofe  Cat  'ui^c  covvu-rds  hia  ^.nil-Jren, 
nor  at  an  haughty  'Diftaxr.e  from  them  ;  but.  -T 

when  they  came  into  hi&Preience  he  would  c.ondefcen4 
to  the  Familiarity  of  it,t  A-:^i>'i(,:-tu'xs  ,  and  thu;>  he 
would  inftrucT:  and  edify,  thu^,  allure  and  caai:n  us, 
thus  make  us  love  his  Society,  ever  come  ir.t  •,  n  with, 
Delight  and  never  leave  it  bus;  with  Soi 
Which  Method,  I  believe,  will 'work  more  ^  K  Uy 
upon  any  Children  of  common  Senlc  n  i-:  :-.  if  en 
gage  them  to  love  their  Parent  and  e^clme  them  to 
be  good  and  vertuous,  than  any  crabbed  Looks> 
aultere  Orders  or  furly  Demands  \viiatever. 

a.  His.  Sentiments  ufionfome  important  ^Things. 

i.  ALTHO*  he  was  a  Defender  of  the  'DoRrims  cf 
Grace,  as  exprelfed  in  the  Article  </  the  Church  of 
England;  and,  as  to  Church  2>tfctj-li:">,  was  ^f  Cm- 
gregationtl  'Principle;,  which  he  looked  on  as  rnofl 
agreable  to  the  Word  of  GOJ>  ancl  the  Ri^kts  of  the 
Cbrijlian  Church  ,  yet  he  *as  very  extenfive  in  his 
Charity,  being  deiirous  to  regeive  .ill  whom  CHRIST 
receives  to  the  Kingdom  of  GOD,  viz.  All  who  fear 
GOT)  and  -work  Righfsottfaefif  all  who  do  not  a  '>rt 
Errors  and  indulge  'Pra&ices  inconfiftent  with  the 
Chriftian  Life :  And  being  of  fuch  a  charitable  and 
good  Temper,  he  muft  needs  be  an  Enemy  to  a\\ 
^Perfecution  as  he  was.  He  tho't'that  a  good  Sukjea 
and  good  Neighbour  had  a  Ri^bt  to  Life  and  the 
Comforts  of  it,  let  his  Opinion  in  Religion  be  what 
it  will.  He  early  imbib*d  this  Opiniori,  grew  ftrong 
in  it,  left  it  behind  him  and  to  the  iafl  \vas  an  En- 
courager  of  manly  Religion  without  any  bitter  Spirit 
common  to  this  ^Party  and  that  -fa trio ». 

i.  As  it  is  well  known  that  Dr  MATH^K  w.as  well 
acquainted  with  the  Sacred  'Pruphecrttj  on  whiLh  )^ 
formerly  writ  apid  printed  his  Thp'ts;  fo  it  ma, 


Dh  COTTON  MATHER.'  1:4.1 

foe  amifs  to  inform  my  Reader,  that.,  in  feveral  Things 
relating  to  the  I  lophccies,  he  (aw  caulc  to  alter  kis 
Min<i  ;  particularly  concerning  the  fecund  Cvmtttg  Of 
CHRIST*,  the  Conflagration,  the  New  Heavens  and 

Nef.v  Earth,  and  the  Calling  of  thi  fe-n-s. 

I  will  here  write  thofe  Sentiments  of  thefe  Things 
of  which  the  Doctor  juft  before  he  died  had  a  firm 
Belief  from  a  ftricl  Enquiry,  long  Study  and  much 
Prayer  ;  and,  as  near  as  1  can,  I  will  exprefs  his  Sen 
timents  in  his  own  Words  in  the  following  Ailcrtions. 

1.  Tntfecorid  Coming  of  the  LORD  will  be  at  and 
for  the  Deftrurfiion  of  the- Man  of  Sir  and  the  Ex 
tinction  ^>ithe   Roman   Monarchy  under  tbz  'Papaf 
Form  of  it.     He  tho't  that,  altho'   Wife   Men   have 
interpreted  our  SAVIOUR'S  Caning  in  The  Cloi'.ds  *f 
Heaven  and  the  Srightncf*  of  ioh  Appearance   ?.s  j£ 
it  mc'nt  any  Thing  befides  His    'P  erf  anal    Coming, 
herein  they  fpokc  fooliihiy  and  unaccountably,     for 
as  their  Interpretations  leave  us  deftitute  of  a::y  Proof 
that  our  LORI)  will  ever  come  at  all,  lb  they  go  very 
far  towards  a  Trefpafs  on  the  third  Cmmandmtnt. 

2.  THE  Conflagration  defcribed  by  the  Oracles  of 
GOD  in  ftrong  Terms,  and  which  we  «re  warned  of 
ly  the  Mouth  of  alt  the  'Prcpbcts  ;  this  Conflagration 
will  be  at  the  fccond  Coming  of  the  LORD.     To 
make  the  Tetrhic  Conflagration  (Ignify  no  more  than 
the  laying  of  Jerusalem  and  her  Daughter  in  Afhes  : 
And  to  marke  the  New  Heavens  and  the  New  Earth 
fignify  no  more  than  the  Church  State  eft  he  GofpeL 
— -  Thefe  are  fliameful  Hallucinations.     And  as'  for 
the  Nf'v  Earth,  before1  the  Arrival  of  which  no  Man 
can  reafonably  expert  hzppy  Time:  for  the  Church  of 
GOD  upon  Earth,  it  is   the  greatest  Abfurdity  to  lay 
that  it  will  take  I-iace  before  ile  'Pi-trine  Conflagra 
tions  ;  and  there  is    no  Profpert   of  arguing  to  any 
Furpofc  with  iuch  as  can  talk  lb  very  ridiculouily. 


5 


UPON 


Wx  Life  of 

3.  UPON  9be  Conflagration  the  glorious  GOD  will 
create  New  Heavens  and  a  New  Earth.  In  the  up 
per  Part  of  our  Atmofokcre,  where  will  be  the  New 
JJeavens,  there  will  be  the  holy  6/Vjy^which  GOD  hai 
prepared  for  his  People.  This  holy  City  will  be  in 
habited  by  the  raifed  Sainn,  attending  on  our  SA 
VIOUR  there  and  receiving  the  inconceivable  Re- 
compences  of  all  their  Services  &  Sufferings  for  Him. 
The  New  Earth  will  be  a  'Paradife,  prepar'd  for 
another  People  &  futt  of  the  goodnefs  of  the  LORI). 

6f.  IT  is  impofiible  to  find  any  Inhabitants  for  the 
New  Earth,  but  a  fet  of  People  that  lhall  efcape  the 
Conflagration.  It  is  aThing  plainly  revealed  unto  us^ 
that  our  dcfcending  Redeemer.,  while  yet  at  a  further 
Diftance  than  he  will  anon  come,  when  he  fets  Fire 
to  the  Earth,  will  by  his  Almighty  Voice  raife  the 
IDead,  whom  he  intends  forBleifcdncfs,  fo  fetch  them 
to  him  as  to  bring  them  with  him :  As  he  is  going 
on  in  his  nearer  Approaches  with  his  illuftrious  Re 
tinue  to  give  Order  for  the  tremendous  Fire,  he  will 
hear  the  Cries  of  his  chofen,  called  and  faithful  ones^ 
and  he  will  fend  His  Angels  to  do  for  them  as  once 
for  ELIJAH  ;  Thcfe  Hundred  and  forty  four  T'hou- 
fand  Servants  of  GOD  and  Walkers  with  HIM,  that 
have  tbeMark-ofGov  upon  them,whentheID^?n>j£r-.? 
are  going  to  hurt  the  Earth  >  fliall  be  caught  up  to 
meet  theLOR%)  and  with  HIM  they  Hiall  be  in  Safety, 
vtfhile  they  iliall  fee  the  Eartb  flaming  under  them. 
Thefe  are  they  who  fhall  return  to  ;the  NewEarth^ 
polfefsit,  and  people  it;  t^ey  ihall  foon  multiply  in 
to  mighty  Nations  upon  it. 

5.  TiiEProcefsof  Judgment  oh  the  Sheep  &  Goats, 
In  the  twenty  fifth  Chapter  of  Matthew,  has  not  one 
of  the  Raifed  from  the  'Dead  concerned  in  it ;  but 
it  is  a  quick  Divifton  &  Deciiion  made  by  our  LOR  D 
among  the  Chriftians  who  cry  for  Mercy,  when  they 
fee  the  Fire  of  GO2)  ready  to  feizc  upon  them,  de 
termining  who  (hall  be  caught  *p  to  meet  the 
and  who  fhall  be  left  to  the  'Perdition  of 


Dr.  CofTON  MATHER." 

Men  in  the  Flames  before  them  ;  and  there  (hall  not: 
one  ungodly  Man  be  left  living  in  the  World. 

6.  THE  raifed  Saints  in  the  New  Heavens  will  not 
marry  nor  be  given  in  marriage,  but  be  equal  witb 
the  Angels;  The  changed  Saints  on  the  New  Earth 
will  butld  Houfcs  and  inhabit  them,  plant  Vineyards 
and  eat  the  Fruit  of  them,  and  will  have  anOffspring 
that  will  be  with  them  the  blejjed  of  the  LORCD  ; 
and  if  blejfcd,  then  Jinlefs  And  deathlefs:  The  facre4 
Scriptures   have  exprefily  declared    this    Difference 
between  them. 

7.  WHILE  the  holy  People  on  the  New  Etrib 
fhall  be circumflanced  like  Adam  &  Em  in^aradife, 
in  a-  pure  and  fpotlefs  Manner  Living  unto  GOD  ;  the 
Raijed  Saints^  being  fomewhat  more   Angelically 
circumflariced,   will   be  fent   from  Time   to    Time 
down  from  the  New  Heavens  unto  them  to  be  their 
Teachers  and  Rulers  and  have.^Ww  over  Nations^ 
And  the  Will  of  Gor  will  be  done, on  Earth  as  it  is 
in  Heaven.     This  Difpenfation  will  continue  at  leaft 
for  a  thcufand  Tears.     Whether  the  Translations 
from  the  New  Earth  to  the  New  Heavens  will  be 
fucceffively  during   the  tboufand   Tears,  or  all  to 
gether  after  it,  has  not  been  difcovered. 

8.  THE  New  Heavens  $  in  Conjunction  with  the' 
tfewEartb  under  the  Influence  of  it.,  is  thatHtavenfy 
Countrey  which  the  Patriarchs  looked  for.     When  the 
great  GOD  prom iicd  them   that   he  would  be  their 
GOLD  and  blefs  them,  they  underftood  it  of  his  bring 
ing  them    into    this  tDeathlcfs   and  Sinlsfs    WorM. 
They  who  expecT:  the   Reft  promifed  for  the  Church 
of  GOP  upon  harth  to  be  found,  any  whsre  but  in  the 
New  Earthy  and  they  who  expect  any  happy  'firms 
for  the  Church  in  a  World  that    hath  2)eath  &  Sin 
in  it,  —  T'hrft  do  err,  not  knowing  the  Scripture  nor 
the  Kingdom  of  GO  2). 

.  Sucu 


Life  of 

j.  SUCH  a  Converfon  of  tke  jfratfitijb  Nation  with 
3  Return  to  their  ancient  Seats  in  'Palejline,  as  many 
excellent  Perfons  in  latter  years  (  and  among  the  Reft 
jhimfelf)  have  been  perfuadcd  of:  He  now  tho'c  in- 
confiftent  with  the  coming   of  the  LOR1!)    and  'the 
burning  of  the  World  at  the  Fall  ej'  Antkbi  ift  ,  be^- 
fore  v,  hich  Fall  no   body   imagines   that  Conversion. 
And  indeed  how  is  it  confiftent  with   tbe  'Deep  Sleep 
in  which  the  ^Diluvium  Ignis  miift,  as  that  cf  Water 
did,  furprize  the  World  ?  The  hc-ly  'Pet].-!?  of  the  Pro 
phecies  is  found  among  tie  Ge-^-ih^  the  jurrogats 
Jfrael.    The  NewSfiijtament  feems  to  -have  done  with 
a  carnal  Ifraely  The  Eleventh  Chapter  to  the  Rem 
ans  is  greatly  mifuhderfioc^,  wh^re  we  find  all  IJrael 
faved  by  a  filling  up  of  The  Gentiks  which   we  mif- 
tranflate  tfte  fttlnefi,  of  'tbe  Gentiles.      The  Prophecies 
of  the  old  Teftamett't  that  feem  to  have  an  Afpeft  up 
on  fuch  a  Nation^  are  either  already  accompliihed  un 
to  that  Nation  in  the  Return  from  \heCfoat4ean  Cap 
tivity;    or  they  belong  to  that  holy  'People  whom  a 
SuccefTion  to  the  Piety  of  rJ~>e  ^Patriarchs  will  render 
what  our  Bible  has  taught  us  to  call  them  the  Jfrael 
of  GO-D  :  But  the  final  Fulfilment  of  them  all  will 
be  in  tbe  World  to  come,  or  the  New  Heavens  and  the 
Jtfeto  Earth  where  GO'D  will  dwell  with  Men  .and 
be  their  GOT).     Of  what    Advantage   to  the  King 
dom  of  GOT)  can  the  Coirjcrfwn  of  the  jfeivifh  Nation 
be,  any  more  than  i\\t  Converfion  of  any  other  Nation, 
except  we  mould  fuppoie  to  remain  upon  the  Jewij}} 
Nation  after  their  Convcrjion  fomething  to  aiftinguijb 
them  from  the  reft  of  the  Chriftian  "Believers  ?  Now 
to  fuppofe'this,  would  it  not  be  to  rebuild  a'JPartifftpt 
iVnll  that  ourSAtrouR  hasdemolifhed  and  abolifhed, 
which  a  Chriftian,  one  would  think,  \\ould  no  fooner 
go  to  do  than  to  rebuild  the  fallen  Walls  of  Jericho. 


10.  BY  all  juft  and  fair  Computations   flic  tw 
Hundred  and  fi\ty  Tears  allowed  for  the  'Pttpal 
pirp  muft  be  near,  if  not  quite  expired.     By  Conk- 
quence  the  on"   thouflctad  threr  hundred   find  thirty 
Tears,  which  bring  the  Ttwe  of  the  En  -I  when 


Dr.  COTTON  MATH  EH, 

ry  other  go  oo  Man,  is  to  rife  and 

o    rxter 

the  prefent  (  And  tor  ought  any  ivlan  alive- 

can  fay  tke  j.  may   be   heard  before   to 

morrow  *  ;;s,  v.hicr 

LORD  foi  been 

• 

A  them,  and  a  .'. 
\\V>iid  has  noc  u^ 

THE  Doclo  ry  much  difplcafed  with  thofe, 

propoii.  rr/>  than  w  /!.Arck,  tl 

have  at  .  ed  all  Hopes  to  undcrflaru. 

•>«;r$  and  feet  red  an  unintelligible  '. 
A&9  igHtty  to  ihe^./ivwe  Oracles  only  by  demanding 

an  Air  of  Contempt  j  Where  will  you 
and  Mxgog  ?     They  are  not  ordinarily  cap.. 
cciving  a  Rational  Anfy^-er  till  they,  have  i 
A>uily  tno't  on  \vhat  is  to  arrive  a  tkotifittidTean  I 
G(<g  e.i:d  j\fa£og.     SuppoTe  (  wh.. 
deed  rhe  Doctor  vvould  not  allow  ;  the  C^. 
unanfwerable  :     He  would  theii  ask,  ii 


COD'-.-  the  Ratfed  Bodtei  of  the  !  \ 

.fiil  whic!'  ;6ple  will  contlii  cannot  yet  I 


fwei'cd  ?     Ardyet,  continued  he,  they  will 
jnour.ce  •  /AT  .^/r/ 

(THE  Do-^orus'd  to  fay,  7  t< 

ST^JSlga     ' 

. 

?     Or  "I  will  <  nly   as 
jiic   tkaff>  auu  I  v\ilitc]l»yoii  whcicto  ; 

ANJ,   as  for  I 

.hat  fc  dreadful    a  Thing 

' 

! 


Life  of 

fine  Buildings,  Cities  and  Artifices  in  it  as,  and  pro 
bably  more  People  than,  there  are  in  ours.  No  more 
than  eight  'Perfwts  were  favecl  out  of  the  Deitrudion 
which  a  Fhod  of  Water  bro't  upon  that  World  ; 
whereas  there  *jviU  be  a  great  Number,  GOD  knowj, 
how  many  Thoufands,  laved  out  of  theory  Flood 
which  we  have  to  look  for. 


THUS  I  have  given  a  brief  Account 
late/l  Sentiments  concerning  trr  facred  Prophecies  : 
I  have  been  the  more  concife,  becaufe  I  hope  I  fhall 
procure  a  Publication  of  His  Tt'iparadifus  ;  which 
will  give  the  World  a  more  ample  Account  as  well 
as  Proof,  of  his  Perfuafion, 

I 

5.  THE  Potfor's  temper  in  his 
the  Circumjlances  of  his  tDeaik- 

i.  As  He  had  walked  in  the  Light  of  G02)'s 
Countenance  thro'  the grcatelt Part  of  hisLife;  fo  in  the 
latter  Part  of  it  he  had  more  peculiar  and  lively  Dif- 
pl ays  of  the  Divine  Favor  :  particularly  in  his  laft 
JllnaffeB. 

IN  one  Sicknefs  I  find  he  was  fure  all  hi*  Sins  were 
p&rdoned,  that  he  was  above  the  Fear  °f  'Death  and 
that  he  efteemed  Tatience  under  Sickneft  to  be  better 
than  Health  it  felf. 

IN  this  Illnefs  I  like  wife  met  with  hi?  Enquiries 
after  the  Reafons  why  moft  Men  chtfe  rat^r  to  Live 
than  to  2ty  ?  The  Caufes  why  the  Generality  defirc 
Lifiy  arc  either  becaufc  they  are  afraid  to  2?v,  orelfe 
becaufe  they  Love  Creature^  here  To  well  tiiat  they 
are  loth  to  leave  them.  Now  neither  of  thefe  Reafons 
\verc  fufficient  to  make  the  Doclor  prefer  Lije-  Not 
the  former,  for  he  was  a  Conqueror  and  more  t^iin  a 
O.nquiror  over  Death  thro'  JESUS  CHRIS.T  ;  n°r  yet 
the  latter,  becaufe  he  could' not  be  loth  to  1( 
Strews  to  go  to  the  Fountain,  he  loved  the 
more  than  C 


Dr=  COTTON  MATHSSU  ^4.^ 

AND  as  for  his  ^vantages  for  doing  Good  iti  this 
World  ;  whenever  GOP  fhould  pkafc  to  put  an  End 
£o  them,,  he  was  fatisn'ed. 

2,  ONE  Day>  when  he  was  labouring  under  forae 
Infirmities,  I  find  him  writing  as  follows  : 
f  WHEN  I  was  pouring  out  my  Prayers   iiiito  tfoc 

*  LORI?,  I  mentioned  the  'Prolongation  of  tny  Life 

*  to  enjoy  and  improve  more  Opportunities  of  glo* 

*  rifying  Him.     In  my  Prayers,  I  humfely  represented 

*  to  the  LORD,  that  there  were  two  Objections  againft 

*  my  Jy/>£.,which  my  Flejb  would  be  ready  to  make; 
'  but  thro*  His  Grace  I  had  conquered  them, 

f  Firft,  MY  Fkjb  pleaded  that  the  Conforrs  of 

*  Earth  were  too  agreable  Things  to  be  eaiily  forfa- 
c  ken.     But  my  Faith  is  perfwaded  and  fatisfied  that 

*  the  ZDeligbts  of  Heaven  are  fweetcr  than  the  Covt- 
<  forts  of  Earth  •>  and  I  can  freely  leave  all  the  En* 

*  tertainments  of  this  Evil  World,  that  I  may  be  with 
'  CHRIST,  where  to  be  is  by  far  tie  beft  of  a-lL 


*  Secondly,  MY  Flejb  pleaded.   What 

*  of  my  Offering  when  I  am  gone  ?     i3ut  my 

f  is'perfuaded  and  fatisfied,  that  GOD  wiO.  be  a  t'&- 

*  ther  to  my   Fatberlefs  Offspring;    and  myLoR-D 
c  JESVS  CHRIST,  whom  I  have  Terved  without  feek- 
f  ing,  as  many  others  would  have  done,  to  enrich  my 

*  felf  with  a  Portion  for  my  Children,  will   marvel- 

*  loufly   become  iuch  a  Guardian  unto  them,   that. 
c  they  (hall  not  want  any  good  Thing, 

'  MY  Mind  being  on  thefetwo  Accounts  thus  tafy 
<  and  ready-  'olZ/r,  I  then  befoughtof  the  LORD  nc* 

*  verthck&jbat  He  would  yet  fpare  my  Lit  e$co-  work 
f  foi  HIM  a  little  moreajmm'g  his  People 

THUS  the  Doctor  could  fay,  as  MARTIN  of'/'. 
did,  Libzra  we,  iti.-e/c,  Dcmi».'.e>  ex  w^r'ait  itlu  C/:v>- 
are  j  Veriuitam(»fittdbiK  'Ptf-uio  tt&jfbw  -Vfi'^^/wj,. 

Unv  L;;i-':-'i"<n* 

I,  ~  B- 


14$  yfo  Life  of 

BUT,  Having  Writ  of  his  Concern  for  his  Children, 
1  fee  net  why  1  may  not  add,  tho'  it  may  feem  out  of 
Place  here,  what  he  wrote  when  fome  of  his  Children 
vverefmall,  viz,.  His  Inftrument  of  Bttrvjlment  and 
Refignation  for  his  Chil Jreny  which  he^  knew  not 
how  ibon  he  might  leave  as  Orphans.—  The  Inftru- 
ment,  which  He,  proitrate  in  the  Duft,  ipread  before 
the  LOR  D,  runs  in  thcfe  Terms  • 

t  f\  MY  great  and  good  SAVIOUR,  Thou  SON  of 
S^  (  GOP,  and  the  LORD  in  whom  the  Father- 
If  ft  find  JMircy  :  The  principal  Satisfaction  &  Con- 
folation  with  which  I  receive  the  Children,  which 
the  LORD  has  gracioufly  given  me,  at  their  Birth 
into  the  World  is,  the  Profpect  of  more  Subjeffs  for 
my  SAVIOUR  and  the  Propagation  &  Continuation  of 
His  Kingdom  in  the  World.  For  this  purpole  it  is 
my  ftrong  and  full  Defue  to  do  my  Part  that  my 
Children  may  know  their  SAVIOUR  and /WW HIM 
with  a  fsrfitt  Heart  and  willing  Mind.  And  I 
earneftl-y  cry  unto  HIM  to  produce  a  Work  cf  Grace 
in  their  Souls  and  to  take  them  under  the  perpetual 
Conduct  oft&e  Spirit  of  Grace ,  that  they  may  do  fo. 

c  Now  I  firmly  believe  that  the  World  is  under  the 
Government  of  my  SJLVIOUR,  and  that  he  fcts  at 
the  right  Hand  cf  GOP,  and  that  the  Affairs  of  the 
jUrvine  'Prcvidence  are  under  his  Adminiilration. 
He  docs  particularly  employ  the  Miniftry  ^f  Kis 
mighty  Angeh  in  gcwerning  the  Children  of  Men, 
ana  yet  more  particularly  make  them  the  Guardians 
of  His  little  cues  :  moft  of  all  when  in  his  Provi 
dence  He  makes  them  Fatberl'.j's  Children.  O I  Or 
phans  well  provided  for  ! 

c  WHEREFORE,  O  my  SAVIOUR,  I  commit  my 
Children  into  thy  Fatherly  Hands.  I  pray  to  Thee 
that  thy  grac:rv:s  frovidcvcc  may,  and  I  truft  ia 
'iliee  that  it  will  be  concerned  for  them.  Oh  !  Let 
nothing  be  \vantingto  them  thatfhall  be  good  for 
thc-rr..  Cai:fe  them  to  Fear,  to  Love  Thee,,  to  walk. 

(  in 


Dr.  COTTON  MA.THER. 

^  in  thy  ways  ;  and  make  ufe  of  them  to  do  Good  in 
'  their  Generation.  Be  Thou  their  Friend  and  raiie 
e  them  up  fuck  as  may  be  necejjary,  and  in  a  convc- 
e  nient  Manner  fupply  all  their  Neceffities.  Give  thy 
*  ANGELS  a  Charge  of  them;  and  when  their  Fa- 
c  ther  and  Mother  for]  ake  them,  then  do  Thou  take 
c  them  up. 

c  THIS  is  the  Supplication,  this  the  RqJfignatiQflj 
f  this  the  Dcpcndance  of 

C.  MAfHER. 

3.  Jam  mtUHt&eflustrJet  Coafpstfu  Vitt  Mte  r,icet 
cujus  verefentio  in  me  Initia,  were  the  dying  Words 
of  a  learned  GERMAN  Phylician.  The  fame  might 
Doctor  MATHER  ufe  in  his.  two  Ittjl  Sickneiles. 

I  will  here  recollect  fomc  Pallages  that  occur'd  in 
the  Illnefs  before  that  of  which  he  died,  which  ma- 
nifeil  his  being  ripe  jor  Glory  and  ihow  that  th.ofe 
Words  were  fuLfil'd  unto  Him,  It  foall  conic  to  f,ij.^ 
At  Evening  "I'ime  itfoall  ie 


H?.  faid  in  our  Hearing,  c  LORP,  Thou  art  w!t>;: 
me,  and  doft  enable  me  toy/«^  in  the  dark  Falley 
of  the  Shadow  of  'Death.  I  perceive  tke  Si%w  of 
^Jeath  upon  me,  and  am  I  not  affrighted  ?  ATe/,  not 
at  all  '.  Iivill  not  fo  difionor  my  S^A^IQUR.  AS  to 
be  frighted  At  any  %%ing  that  can  bsfall  rnc,  while 
I  am  in  his  blcjjed  Hands  ! 


WHEN  Tome  Gentlemen  came  to  fee  him,  he  kid, 
f  I  hope,  I  fhall  not  be  found  a  Fc^!,  but  here  I  ly 
e  and  hng,  Soul,  take  thine  Eafe  T-.'Ou  bi't  G:>(.\<i< 
c  lull  up  in  Store  fur  wany,  many  1\'C.rs,  for  e:i.lle^ 
c  Ages;  but  another  fort  of  Go  o.  -Is  than  \\iidtthis 
'  vaiu.  World,  puts  off  its  Molaters  with  1 


E  were  fevcral  other  Paflages  which  I  will 
give^my  Rca.icr  juft-as  the  Doctor  wrote  them  witiv 
his  Tick  Hand. 

L  -,  '  I 


Life  Gf 

c  I  feel  the  Life  of  GOT)  begun  in  my  Soul,  and  & 
'  predominant  Refpcffc  unto  the  great  GOD  govern- 
«  ing  of  me  and  enclining  me  to  acknowledge  him 

*  in  all    my   Ways..      Here  is   a  Life  begun  which 

*  can  terminate  no  otherwife  than  in  an  endlefi  Life 

*  with  my  Goi>.    There  is  a  Well  of  Water  in  me 

*  that  will  Spring  up  to  Ever  la/ling  Life.     2)eatb^ 
-'  do  thy  worfc  ;  there  is   no  killing  of  that  Life  to 
ff  which  my  GO.D  has  begun,  to  raife  me. 

c  HAVE  I  had  a  glorious  CHRIST  tivingy  a&ing 
c  and  working  in  me>  and  quickning  me  for  living 

*  unto  GQ'2)  ;  and  will  he  ever  lofe  hi,s  Hold  of  me? 
a  NoA  No.  ;  I  am,  Cure  of  l9uing  ivitb  him  forevermore. 


«  BY  the  precious  T'fco'rs  ot  my  blefTed  JESVS 

*  often,  every  day  formed  in  my  Mind,   have  I  had 

*  hira  dwelling  in  me  ;  and  fhall  I   not   now  go   to 

*  dwell  with  him  ?  I  (hall  -,  aiTuredly  I  ihall 

<  HA.S  2  Conformity  to  CHRIST  been   the  Straitt 

*  and  Salt  of  my  Life;  and  have  I  made  it  my  Study, 

*  not  only  eo  imitate  him  in  doing  always  theT^ings. 
c  that  pk*fe  the  Father,  but  when  my   j4ffljftions 

*  have  been  Cuch  as  to  referable  his  Humiliation,,  have 
'  I  n>t  even  rejoyeJ  t»<Fribnlaticn?  And  fh?41  I  not 
c  ga  to  partake  with  him  in  FulK.efs  ofjfoy 

^  fates  for 


'-"  HAS.  my  d«ar  SAT'rOtf-«i  m^^tmt^Sacvifictr^  fuai 
a  Sacrifice'/1  that  not  only  has  my  Life  been  filled 
with  j£)evopiom  <jowa?c!sGo»  and  Sexigtii.y  towards 
Men  which  aj-e  Sacrifices  that  Gpn  is  well  pleafed 
with  thro*  CHRIS.T,-  but  al  Co  have  I  not  1-ook'd  on 
all  the  comfortable  ''I'hin^s  of  this  World  with  * 
S  C'i  firing  Eye>  and  consented  that  the  Holy  ONE, 
if  He  pleafe,  fhould  deny  £U  thefe  Things  unto  me; 
letHim  only  beftow  his  SON  upon  me  and  5  fhould 
be  Tuisfied  ?  Aiid  irtall  I  not  now  be  admitted  a- 
mong  the  'Pri'efis  of  GO1)  and  CHRIST  ?  Yes  rn- 
dted.  a-id  CVCQ  while  I  am  yet  among  the  Sacrificed, 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHIR.'  154. 

f  and  ft{ftfsparate}Souh  under  the^/wr,  I  lLall  have 
c  the  Whits  Robes  of  tke  'PriejlLooJ  given  to  me. 

c  HAS  the  glorious  JESUS  even  here  fo  fuppllsd  all 
f  my  Wants  ivitb  Riches  of  Glory  in  my  fenfe  of 
f  having  HIM  for  mine,that  I  could  patiently, quietly 

*  chearfully  bear  the  hfs  of  nil  Creatures  irom  the 
f  view  of  having   CHRIST   concerned  tor  me   and 
e  feeling  HIM  converging  with  me?  And  now  I  4:11 
f  going  from  all  Creatures  here  below,  will  HH.  not 
c  take  me  where  HE   will  fhew  and  give   HIMSELF 
f  unto  me,  and  be  unto  me  infinitely  Letter  than  all  ? 

c  HAVE  I,  to  animate  my  felf  unto  Holinef*  in  all. 
c  Manner  of  ConverJ'ation,  in  my  Contemplations  of- 
e  ten  endeavoured  to  affect  my  felf  with  the  Holinejs 
c  of  the  purified  Spirits  in  the  'JParadife  of  GOD  ; 
c  their  flaming  ^Devotions  ;  their  jDelight  in  GOD  . 

*  their  Hatred  of  Sin  ;  the  Contempt  with  which  they' 

*  look  down  on  the  high  'Things  of  this  World  ;  and 
3  the  Goodnefs  with  which  they  treat  one  another  E 
f  Done  this  which  earned  Defires  to  be  as  like  them 
f  as  this  mortal  State  may  attain  to  and  will  admkof? 
f-  And  mall  I  not  now  be  fetch'd  away    te  join  with 
f  them  in  the  Praifes  of  GOD  i 

'HAS  the  Awelical  Miaijlry  been  what  I  have 
f  been  thankful  for  and  min-dfal  of?  Have  I  been 
c  a  Caufe  of  Joy  among  the  Angeh  by  being  a  Re~ 
s  fe»ring  Sinner  ?  Have  I  been  deterr'd  from  doing 
f  amifs  becau/e  of  the  Angeh  ?  H:ive  1  frequently 
c  tho't,  with  what- a  Zed  of  tbc  l.^rd  of  Hu  ^  diu 
(  An^ds  do  bum;  how  tb^y  arc  u[>on  tlie  li.'i>i-r  t0 
c  execute  the  Commands  of  our  i.oRD;Wich  wljac 

*  pure  Eyes  of  Dctefhition  they  Ltktld  Evil  and  :ook 
e  upon  Iniquity  ;  wit !>  what  'I'Leajure  they  do  gooi 

*  Offices  for  the    U&trs  cf  Salvation  ?    And   have  I 
e  wilh''d  and  lon^'d,   Oh  (  t.ltrr  f  -iccre  iis  far  a<  w 
e  Capacity  rvcul'»    allr^   (/';';   l:*<i>  I'.ntd   itocjl'    !!:•(•, 

*  oirs  !   And  ih  ill  not    m-v  SOL:!    MW-.V    tali    iiv:o    t!,e 

s  of  chofe  my  dear  GuarJjam  r:r.d  le.  c;rrica 
•    I  4. 


f  53  STfo  Life  of 

c  into  the  glorious  Defence  of  GOD  with  exceeding 


'  Awr  I  wilting  to  be  all  that  my  SAVIOUR  would 
c  have  me  to  be  ?  Am  I  witting  to  go  wherever 
c  my  SAVIOVR  would  have  me  to  go?  Am  I  witting 
c  to  leave  all  that  my  SAVIOUR  would  have  me  ta 
c  part  with  ?  Have  I  no  Will  of  my  own  left  now  to 
*  nife  Rebellion  in  me  ?  Now  I  have  nothing  to  do 
e  hut  to  dy  :  Nay.,  I  have  not  thAt  to  do  neither :  I 
c  am  dcAd  already  ;  my  Will,  the  hardeft  Thing  to 
c  be  killed  in  me,  is  already  dead.  LORD,  thou  wile 
c  Jho<w  Winders  to  the  'Dead  !  My  SAVIOUR,  I  am, 
c  coming  to  fee  thy  Wonders  \ 

c  INDEED  my  Heart  is  deceitful  above  all  *Things  ; 
c  what  if  a  deceitful  Heart  ihould  nowr^r;;  me  afide 
c  and  I  fhould  perifh  with  a  Ly  in  my  Right  Han.*  > 
c  But  I  make  my  Retreat  unto  the  bleffed  JESUS,  as 
f  the  ^Prophet  vvhofe  Office  it  is,  to  fave  me  from  De- 
c  luiions.  I  will  go  up  from  the  Wildernefi  leaning 
(  on  t;Ja  Beloved  one  who  has  efpeufcd  my  Soul  unto 
c  Himfelf.  To  HIM  who  is  the  ^ntthyl  lift  up  the 
e  ardent  Cry  of  my  Soul,  O  my  SAVIOUR,  make 
e  my  Heart  found  in  thy  Statutes.  Let  me  not  be  con- 
'  f  winded  with  the  Hope  of  the  Hypocrite.  I  com- 
e  mit  my  Soul  into  tby  Hands:  I  know  w  bom  I  have 
'  believed ;  T'loou  wilt  keep  what  I  cemmit  unto  'The?. 

<e  BUT  !  Whit  if  after  all  a  S  vereign  GOD  will 
re  have  me  to  be  a  Caft-aivay ;  and  I  fhall  be  cafe 
ce  'into  an  Hell  where  the  Divine  Juftice  will  be  for 
ff  ever  fcourging  of  me  ?---  Ideierve  it  lliould  be  fo  \ 
<f  —-Fuulty  'Tbct's  !  fiery  'Darts  \  —  In  the  Horror 
c  ofiDtrkriefi  I  now  humble  my  felf  asC/^v  before  the 
c  yortrr  ;  and  I  feel  my  Heart  fo  rilled  with  the  }.cv» 
c  of  GO  2),  and  fo  fatisfied  in  His  doing  all  Things 
f  rifjjt  as  they  fhould  be  done,  that  if  it  fhould  belo, 
c  yet  f  defire  that  no  Scourge  upon  me  may  produce 
'  any  Thing  from  me  worie  than  this,  O  iovs  avd 
ifc  avrffervg  the  glorious  GO 2)  \xbo  dors  all  <>f 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER.  15$. 

f  this  \  -Let  none  refift  the  Will  of  t  Jos  glorious  GO  2) 
e  who  does  all  of  this  !  Let  me  undergo-  all  of  this^ 
'  rather  than  ever  entertain  one  hard  "fbo't  of  tkt 
'  glorious  ONJEl—But  my  Soul  being  thus  diipos'd, 
€  the  HOLY  SPIRIT  of  my  GOD  immediately  ihoots 
e  the  Rays  of  His  Light  into  it,  and  moft  powerfully 
f  fays  unto  me,  I'hefe  SDifpojitions  were  never  made 
'  for  an  Hell,  the  Fire  iv  hereof  is  ftr  the  Enemies  of 

*  G02).     If  it  were  poffible  for  a  Soul  to  go  to  Heil 

*  ivithfuch  2}ifpofitionss  it  would  carry  Heave  »  thi- 
'  ther  with  it.     No,  no;  T'foou  Art  afleafant  Child 
r  unto  me  :  I  willjurely  have  Mercy  on  thee  ! 

c  AND  now,  vain  World,  farewell  !  Thou  haft 
f  been  to  me  a  very  uneafy  Wildernef$.  Wdccine  ? 
'  everlaftihg  Life  !  The  'Paradife  of  Gor>  Itands 
'  open  tor  me.  I  am  juft  entring  into  a  World,\vhere 
f  I  mall  be  free  from  Sift  and  from  all  T'emptations 
f  to  it  :  a  World  where  I  fhall  have  all  Tears  wiped- 
c  from  my  Eyes;  a  World  where  I  mall  Refilled  with 
'  all  the  fulnefs  ofGOfl).  The  faft  Hour  that  ever 
f  I  faw  is  what  I  am  hourly  and  gladly  waiting  for  !. 

THESE  PafTages  the  Do<£ror  writ  ;  but  many  of  m 
beard  moft  of  them  from  his  Lip?. 

4.  AND  now  I  write  of  his  laft  Illnefs  and  the  Cir- 
cumftances  of  his  Death. 

FAOM  the  Beginning  of  his  laft  Illnefs,  which  was 
about  the  latter  end  of  'J)*/:ctnber  1727,8.  He  had 
a  ftrong  Allurancc  it  would  be  His  Death.  He 
therefore,  writing  a  Note  to  one  of  his  !'hyiicia!is,told 
him,  '?  My  laft  £qemv  is  come,  I  would  fay  my  l>;ft 
Friend  ". 


was  nothing  He  wrks  more  dcfirotis  of  and 
prelfc'd  after  with  more  \  chcnicn^c  in  his  lair,  Sicknefs 
thiin  a  Refined  Will.  He  icvcr.il  Tiir.es  told  us, 
\vhcu  He  fliould  have  his  Will  c  nti  rsly  jwulU-  ;*  ed  «/> 

' 


154  3r%  £'fe  °f 

in  tt>t  Witt  of  GOD  he  (hould  have  no  mofe  to  fay  *•" 
us.  —  He  had  fome  Things  on  the  Anvil  which  he 
would  willingly  have  lived  to  fmifh,  but,  faid  he ; 
f  IfthtGO^D  of  my  Life  has  crdcred  other  wife  >  / 
*  defire  to  have  no  Wtll  of  my  own  '.  When  one  of 
bis  Church  asked  whether  he  was  defirous  to  dy  ?  He 
reply'd,  '  I  dare  not  fay  that  I  am,  nor  yst  that  I 
f  am  not ;  I  would  be  entirely  refigned  unto  GOZ)y. 
When  the  Phyficians  hinted  unto  him  that  he  would 
dy,He  faid  with  uplifted  Hands  &  Eyes,  '  Thy  Will 
be  do»i  on  Earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven  *.  And  a  few 
Hours  before  his  Death  he  allured  thofe  who  were 
round  his  Bed,  e  Now  I  have  nothing  more  to  da 
c  here  ;  my  Will  is  entirely  f  wallowed  up  in  the  Will 
<  oj  G  O  2)  '. 

As  thro'  the  Courfe  of  his  Life  He  propofed  ths 
Glory  ofGO'Z)  as  His  laft  End,  He,  at  the  laft  day* 
of  his  Life,  was  very  defirous  that  GO  2)  might  be 
exceedingly  glorified  and  gratified  by  him  and  hi* 
means  :  when  therefore  he  was  told  how  much  many 
good  People  prayed  for  him  ;  He  faid,  e  I'he  Grayer 
f  of  the  upright  is  His  dtlight ;  and  I  rejoice  in  that 
f  Sicknefs  which,  by  procuring  the  Prayers  of  fincere 
c  Chriftians,  procures  a  Pleafure  in  the  Infinite  GOD.  * 

HR  often  exprefled  the  good  hepe  he  had;  His  be 
ing  above  the  Love  of  Life  and  the  Fear  of  Death  ; 
alluring  us,  that  he  was  going  to  eat  the  'Bread  and 
drink  the  Waters  oj  Life  freely  ;  that  all  fears  wquld 
be  foon  wiped  from  his  Eyes  ;  that  everything  looked 
fmiling  about  kim  !  that  it  icas  impofjible  HeJJjoulJ 
be  loft  -,  that  he  had  a  flrong  Cunfolat-ion  and  that  his 
Prit*ws  of  the  Heavenly  World  ivers  all  glorious. 

MANY  were  the  Bleflmgs  he  pronounced  and  the 
Charges  he  gave  thofe  who  were  near  him.  How 
did  he  wifh  that  the  Blcffing  of  HIM  in  whom  all 
Nations  are  to  be  bleffed  might  reft  on  the  Perfons 
and  Families  ot  thofe  who  came  to  fee  him  !  How 
did  he  svifha  CHRIST  might  be  the  Portion  of  {everak,. 

thinking 


Dr.  COTTON  MATHER  155 

thinking  HE  was  Bkffing  eno'  ?  The  Blefilng  he 
gave  Mr.BvLEshisSifter'sSorv,  is  as  follows;  *  My  dear 
'  Child,  and  my  Son,  my  Son,,  1  blcfs  you;  I  blcis 
f  you  ;  I  wilh  you  all  manner  of  BleifmgsJ  I  know 

*  not  what  better  to  wilh  you  than  this,  that  you  be 

*  ftrong  in  the  Grace  with   which  our   LORD  JESUS 
(  CHRIST  will  furnifhyou.    I  know  not  what  better 
s  to  wifh  you  than  this,  that  you  may  be  an  Inftru- 
e  ment  of  difylnying  to  others  the  Beauties  &  Glories 
e  of  our  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST,      I  know  not  what 
ff  better  to  wilh  you  than  this,  that  you  may  be  very 
c  fruitful  in  Projections  and  EJJays  to  do  Good,  that 
c  it  may  be  your  Ambition  to  bring  fort  Jo  much   of 
'  that  Fruit  by  which  our  Heavenly   Fattier  may  be 
*-  glorified.     You  have  been  acquainted  with  my  poor 

*  Manner  of  'Living ,  even  in  the  more  fecret  Strokes. 
c  of  it ;  follow  what  you  have  found  in  it  agrcable  to 
f  the  Pattern  of  a  glorious  CHRIST.     My  dear  So^ 
c  I  do  with  allpoiiible  Affection,  recommend  you  to 
f  the  Blefling    of  our  dear  LORD    JESUS  CHRIST. 
'  Take  my  Hands.,  and  my  Heart  full  of  Bleffings', 

IT  would  a  little  difcover  the  Vanity  of  the  Writer 
as  well  as  the  FoxJnefi  of  the  'Parent,  if  I  fhould 
write  all  the  Doctor  (aid  to  him  in  the  Blelfing 
He  gave  him  :  I  lhall  therefore  but  juit  mentufti 
the  Tenor  of  it,  when  on  bended  Knees  his  Blelfing 
was  asked  ;  c  You  have  been  a  dear  Son  a»J  a  tile'a- 
f  font  Child  unto  me*  and  I  wiJh  you  as  wrttfyBlelfings 

*  as  you  have  done  me  Ssrviccs  which  are  very  many. 
«  I  wifh  and  pray  the  Go  n  of  ABRAHAM.,  ISAAC  and 
f   JACOB  may  be  yours  and  His  Bldling   re  it  upon 
f  you.     I  wilh  that,  as  you  have  a  Prolpcfr.  of  being 
*•  frrviceable  in  the -Wor!H,you  may  bearcat  and  con- 
f  fiderable,  as  the  Patriarchs  .were,  by   introducing  a 
'  CHRIST  into  the  World.     The  Grace  of  the  LOAD 
'  JESUS  CHRIST  be  with  you,    AMEN  i ' 

HE  informed  me  then,  what  he  would  have  to 
be  done  as  to  his  private  AtFairs&  Papers;  and  when. 


156  STfo  Life  tf 

after  feveral  Rules  of  private  Condutt  given  to  me 
which  I  lhall  not  write,  I  asked  him  what  Sentence 
or  Word,  what  nvxtvw  EK®-  He  wtttld  have  me  think, 
en  constantly  s  for  I  ever  defired  to  have  him  before 
me  and  hear  him  {peaking  to  me  ?  He  faid,  c  Re- 
f  member  only  that  one  word  Fruffuofus  3.  What  I 
havje-  thus  written  with  relation  to  my  felf  happened 
en  the  Setbbath3  two  Days  before  he  died. 

THE  Day  before  he  died  he  had  fome  Paflfagesread 
to  him  out  of  a  Book  he  printed,  entituled.R0//V#m, 
which  Pailages  he  faid  Hefelt^andifht  bad  Strength 
to  (peak  he  would  ufe  the  very  Words ;  I  fhall  tran- 
fcribethem,  for  they  will  fuperfede  the  mention  of 
any  other  Sentences  by  which  He  teftified  his  efre- 
farednefs  for  2)0atfo.  They  are  as  follows  from 
fag.  4.1  of  that  Book. 

e  IF  the  Requeft  be  granted,  and  the  Felicity  of 

*  having  our  SAVIOUP.  gracieufiy  with  us  be  obtai- 
c  ned,  what  a  Strength  will  the  Joy  of  the  LO  R'D 
9  give   to  us  for  Our  Conflict  with  the  laft  Enemy  > 
f  it  is  a  Paffege  in  the  Prophecies  of  JEREMIAH  con- 
c  cerning  the  Gofpel  ¥)-«y,  which  is  to  pafs  from  the 

*  Dcftrufhon  of  the  old  Jerufalem  to  the  Arrival  of 
r  the  new,  when  the  L  0  R  2)  our  GO2)  (hall  com? 
<  and  all  his  holy  ones  with   bi'm  ;  Zech.  xiv.  7.   If 
c  jball  come  to  pafs,<zt  Evening  Time  it  pall  be  Light. 

*  O  the  Light,  which  a  glorious    CHRIST  frefent 
e  with  us  will  give  us  in  the  Evening,  when  we  ap- 
f  prehend  our  ielves  in  all  the  jDarkncfs  which   we 
e  ihould  elfe  have  to  terrify  us3  when  the  Curtains  of 
f  a  <Deatfo-8ed  are  drawn  about  us  /     The  Light  of 
c  a  Soul  paffing  into  the  Inheritance  of  the  Saints  in 
f  Lig/'t  '     The   Light  of  an   cpen  and  abundant 
c  Entrance  into  the  \Pjiradift  ofGO'D  > 

f  MAY  we  have  our  glorious  CHRIST  with  us. 
'  when  we  arc  fifing  tbrv3  the  Fire.,  we  lhall  be  as 
'  unhurt,  as  untouch'd,  as  eaty  as  the  three  Worthies 
e  were  in  the  fierv  Furn.ice.  By  His  good  Sr  i  R.I  T 

He 


Dr.  COTTON  MA.TWER.  i57: 

r  He  vvilj.  now  fay  unto  us,  Fear  thou  not,  for  I  am 
f  with  the?  ;  %e  not  difmai'd,  for  I  am  thy  GO  2) 
:  and  SAVIOUR,  I  will  jlrengthen  thee,  yea.  I 
'  will  ajfift  thee,  yea  I  will  uphold  thce  with  the 
Right  Hand  of  my  Righteottfntfi.  Upon  the  re- 
c  nouncing  of  all  Dependance  on  our  own  Right*- 
'  oufnefs,  and  relying  on  the  Righteoufnefs  of  the 
'  perfect  Obedience,  which  the  SON  OF  GOD  ftoop- 
c  ing  to  be  our  Surety  paid  unto  His  own  Law  in 
*  our  ftead.  He  will  upheld  us  with  the  Right 
f  Hand  of  His  Right  eoufntfs.  Giving  us  to  fee  our 
c  felves  furnifh'd  and  cover'd  with  a  Righteoufnefs  of 
6  more  Account  than  the  bell  Angel  in  Heaven 
c  may  pretend  unto.  He  will  enable  us  t3  fay,  'The 
(  Gates  of  Right ecufncfi  I  fee  jet  of  en  for  me  \  And 
f  having  a  Soul  fee  upon  tiieTraiJirtg  of  GOD,  greatly 
f  affected  'with  the'Praifes  of  hisCHRisT,andr>rongly  ' 
c  defirous  to  celebrate  and  propagate,  we  fhall  be 
c  able  to  go  on  and  fay,  /  will  go  in  at  thofe  golden 
c  Gates;  I  have  fomethingto  do  within.  Iivillgo 
c  in  and  praife  the  LOR'l)  ;  It  ii  what  I  have  be- 
f  gun  to  do  ;  find  His  'Pr*iife  endureth  forever  :  Ne-* 
€  ver,  Never  pall  I  give  over  the.  %)oing  oj  it. 

•f  VERILY  the  gracious 'Prefence  of  our  SAVIOUR 
c  with  us  will  enable  us  to  Sing  in  the  Valley  of  the 
e  Shadow  of^Death  and  render  it  no  more  than  a 
Shadow  ofjDcath  unto  us.     It  will  fo  fet  us  above 
the  Fears  cf 'Death,  fo  that  if  perceiving  the  Signs 
of  it  upon  us,  we  be  asked,  Ars  you  not  frighted  ! 
Y're  fhall  chearfully  reply,  No,  net  at  all  i     /  will 
not  fo  dijhtnor  f  glories  CHRIST*  as  to  be  af 
frighted  at  any  T^hing  that  can  bel'al  me,   whik   f 
am  in  His  bleffid  Hat, ds  \     It   will  (<>   niollify.the 
fierce  Vifage  of  2}carb,  as  that  if  our  ThSti  of  the 
dying  Hour  be  enquired  after,'  we  lhall  break  forth 
into  Triumphs  upon  it  ;  O  joyful  Hour !  O  welcome 
Hour  I  Come  Lord  JESUS,  corns  quickly.     Why 

is  thy  Char  lot  Co  long  a  corning  ? 

. 

IN 


i$8  Tbe  Llje  ef 

f  IN  order  totiws,  7>e2Ww  of  the  LQRT)  Islng 
r  prefent,  He  will  enable  us  te  read  our  Evidences 
e  for  Heaven  and  fee  the  evident  I'okens  of  Salvation,, 

*  in  which  He  has  marked  us  for  thofe  of  whom  He 

*  ha«  declared,  'They  Jhall  be  mine  in  the2)ay  whett 
f  I  make  up  my  Jewels. 

e  WE  ihall  fee,  That  the  Love  cfGOZ)  has  caufed 
e  us  to  clofe  with  it  as  our  Bleftednefs,  and  to  be 
e  ambitious  of  nothing  fo  much  as  this,  that  we  may 
c  Be  and  may  Do  what  may  be  a  grateful  Speftacle 
c  unro  Him,  and  be  afraid  of  allowing  fo  much  as  in 
€  the  STWtt  &  Frames  of  our  Hearts,  any  Thing  that 
'  He  may  be  difpleafed  at. 

c  WE  fliallfee,  That  thcFaifh  of  CHRIST  has  noc 
f  only  carried  us  unto  Him,to  be  made  Righteous  and 
e  Holy  in  the  Evangelical  Way,  and  be  brought  by 
c  Him  unto  the  full  Enjoyment  of  GOD  in  a  deatb- 
e  left  &  finlefs  World,  but  alfo  cauled  us  to  take  up 
'  with  Him  as  our  Alfufficient  'Portion. 

f  WE  fliall  fee,  That  we  have  a  Spirit  of  'Benignity 
f  towards  our  Neighbour,  and  rejoice  in  all  the  uood 

*  that  may  be  done  unto  him. 

c  SEEING  thefe  Marks  of  the  Lamb  upon  us,  we 
'  mall  conclude,  O  my  SAVIO  UR,  I  am  "Thine  ; 
'  and  not  king  Jb  all  pluck  me  cut  of  thy  glorious  Hands  \ 
c  The  HOLY  SPIRIT  of  GOD  helps  the  Believer  firfl 
'  in  a  way  of  rational  Argumentation  to  take  En- 

*  couragement  from  the  I/tings  that  accompany  Sal- 
(  vation  found  upon  him.     And  while  he  is  doing  fo, 
e  he  breaks  in  upon  the  Soul  of  the  Believer  in  a  way 
'  of  more   immediate  Irradiation  and  with  an  over- 
f  powering  £  overvvhelmingEfficacy  allures  bim,7£<? 
'  glorious  GO'JJ  has  made  "I'bes  on?  of  His  Children, 
r  and  ivillfureh  do  tbee  -Gc-oJ. 

<  H& 


Br,  COTTON  MATHER. 

<  HE  will  enable  us  to  feel  the  Life  of  GO  2), 
'  begun  in  our  Souli,  and  a  predominant  Refpetf 
'  unto  the  great  GOD  governing  of  us  andenclining 
1  us  to  acknowlege  H I M in  all  our  Ways  :  We  mall 
r  then  raife  this  Conclufion  upon  it,  Here  is  a  Life 

<  begun  that  can  terminate  no   otherwife  than  in  An 
r  Endlsfi  Life  with  my  602).    foere  «  * Well^  of 

<  Water  in  me  that  will  firing  up  to  everlafting  Life. 
'  2)satb,  do  thy  worft  ;  there  is  no  killing  of  that 
c  Life  which  my  GO  2)  bas  begun  to  ratfe  me  to. 
f  Have  I  had  a,  glorious  CHRIS?  living,  atting  and 
T  working  in  me,  and  quickening  me  for  Living  unto 
*  G  0  2)  ;  and  •Kill  He  ever  lofe  His  hold  of  me  ? 
f  No,  no-t  lamfure  of  Living  with  Him  forevermore  I 

*  BUT  indeed  it  is  not  eafy  to  recite  and  reckon 
c  all  the  ravifhing  Reflections,  wKich  a  CHRIST 
f  gracioujly  Qrefent  with  a  departing  Believer  may 
e  give  Him  the  nofmallConfolationsofGOZ)  withal. J 
— I  mould  here  write  on  further  from  the  4<Sth  Page 
to  the  52  ;  but  I  remember  a  few  .Pages  before  I  gave 
it  you. 

THE  Doftor  died  on  February  the  thirteenth, 
which  was  the  Day  after  his  Birth-Hay,  in  which 
his  fixfy  fifth  Year  was  confummatcd.  From  the  Thurf- 
day  before  to  that  Time  he  was  dying  of  an  hard 
Cough  and  a  fuffocating  Jlfthma.  with  a  Fwer;  but 
he  felt  no  great  Pain ;  he  had  the  fwect  Comfofure 
and  eafy  ^Departure,  for  which  Ihe  had  entreated  fo 
often  and  fervently  the  fovereign  Difpofcr  of  all 
Things. 

T'HUS  Lived  find  thus  'Died  Dr.  MATHER, 
to  ufe  the  words  of  one  of  our  Minifters  in  his  Dif- 
courie  on  his  Death,  the  Glory  of  Learning,  and 

the  Ornament  of  Chriftianity   *. 


*  1\\f.  Rev.  Mr.  TilACHER 


ioo  'The  Life  of 

Ha  wasburieJ  the  Monday  following; 
Church  (  which  honourably  bore  the  Charge  of  the 
'Funeral  )  to  tdtify  their  fuperior  Regard  for  their  dear 
Paftpr,went  before  the  Corpfe  ;  while  the  Honourable 
WILLIAM  DUMMER,  our  Lieut.  Governor  and  Com 
mander  in  Chie£  the  Honourable  the  Council  and 
Refrefentatives  of  this  Province,  with  a  vaft  Num 
ber  of  Mifiifiers,  yujliccs  of  the  ^eace,  Msrcham^ 
&c.  followed  the  Mourners. 

THE  'fhurfdty  before  the  Burial,  the  Reverend 
Mr.  COLMAN,  preaching  at  the  Lexfture  on  ENOCH'S 
Tranjlation,  gave  him  an  handfome  Character  ;  and 
the  Sabbath  after  Mr.  GEE  confidered  the  Mounting  of 
Jfraelfor  AARON,  and  ingenioufly  applied  it  unto  the 
mournful  Occafion  p.refented  unto  us.  —  Mr.  PR  INCH. 
alfo  preached  a  funeral  Sermon  on  him  from  ELISHA'S 
lamentation  for  ELIJAH,  wherein  he  has  done  my 
Father  a  great  deal  of  Jufticc.—  Which  Three  Ser 
mons  together  with  a  Fourth  Preach'd  by  the  Doctor's 
Son,  in  his  Father's  Pulpit  foon  after  his  Death,  have 
been  Published  among  us. 

I  fhall  now  clofe  the  Account  of  my  FATHER'S 
Life,  with  a  CATALOGUE  of  the  BOOKS  hf 
Publiih'd. 


CARP  AN  wrote  a  Book,  jDe  Libris 
and,  fays  he,  Jmitana  Jum  in  L'oc  fcribendi  Genere 
GAT.ENUM  et  ERAS  MUM,  qui  ambo  Catalogue  Li- 
'brorum  fiiorum  fcripferunt.—  Dr.  MATHER  likethefe, 
was  obliged  to  write  aCatalo^ue  oj  '  kis  Works  ;  and  it 
was  well  he  did  ;  fcrotherwiie  I  fhould  not  have  been 
able  to  have  given  a  complete-  one  to  the  World. 
•He  has  publi'hed  three  Hundred  find  eighty  t-ivo 
Books  ,  as  I  laid  before:  The  titles  of  which  with 
the  Tears  wherein  they  were  emitted  are  now  to  be 
exhibited  and  to  terminate  the  Life,  as  a  Friend 
calls  him,  of  one  0ftkeMoJl£i<,u$y  karnsd  and  effec 
tive  oj  Mortals. 

A 


[Ift] 

v*v*v«v*v*v.v*v*v«v***v,.^ 

A 

CATALOGUE 

O    V       THE 

BOOKS 

Publiftied  by  Dr.  <0)£)atI)Ct:. 


T 


8  6. 

He  Call  of  the  Gofpel. 
Military  Duties.    A  Sermon  to  the  Artilltrv 


Company  in  Aliddlefex 
1687, 

Right  Tho'ts  in  fad  Hours :   on  the  Death  of  a  fait 
Born. 

i  6  8  8, 

Early  Pfety  exemplified  in  the  Life  of  his  Brother 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Mather,  with  feveral  Sermons. 


Smill   Offers  towards  the  Service  of  the  Taberna-Jc 

in  the  Wildcrnefs. 
Memorable  Providences  relating  to  Witchcrafts  ar/' 

PofleffionSi  with  fome-  Sermons  annexe'. 
Soldiers  eounfelled  and  comforted. 
Work  ujpon  the  Ark. 

^The  wonderful  Work*  ofGoBtorrtmemoratedj  with  « 
Sermon  to  Ihii  CJbnventioh  .oh  the  way  to  Profpcriry 
Speedy  kfcpgftteftfB    Urge"d  j   with   iome   hiftorica: 


sd  A  1'ke  Sacks 

x  6  9  o. 

The  prefent  State  of  New-England  confidered  irj  a 

Difcourfe  on  apublick  Spirit. 
A  Companion  for  Communicants. 
The  Serviceable  Man.     A  Sermon  at  the  Armiverfary 

Election. 

Serious  Thoughts  in  dying  Times. 
AddrelFes  to  old  Men,    young  Men  and  little  Chil- 
A  Scriptural  Catechifm.  [drcrL 

The  Triumphs  of  the  Reformed  Religion  in  America  t 
in  the  Lite  of  ivlr.  JOHN  ELIOT. 

i  6  9  i. 

ExpeftanJa  ;   or  Things  to  be  looked  for. 

Little  Hocks  guarded  againft  grievous  Wolves;  or  a 

Diiplay  of  Quakerifm. 
Ornaments  tor  the  Daughters  of  Zion;  or  the  Cha- 

rafter  and  Happinefs  of  a  virtuous   Woman. 
Blcfled  Unions  ;    with  the  Heads  of  Agreement  be 

tween  the  united  Brethren. 

Fair  Weather  ;  or  a  facredExorcifm  upon  finful  Difcon- 

tent,with  fome.  things  annexed  to  premoteGodlincfs. 

galjamum  Vitlnerarium  e   Scriptura  ;    or  the  Caufc 

and   Cure  of  a  wounded  Spirit. 
Preparatory   Meditations  on  the  Day  of  Judgment. 
A  Midnight  Cry  ;  with   an  Inftrument  of  Acknow» 
legements  and  Proteftatiom. 

i  6  9  a. 

Opt  and  a  :  or  good  Men  defcribed  2nd  good  Tliingj 

piopumded. 

The  Wonders  of  the  hv/ifible  World  ;    with  a  Dift 
couric  annexed  concerning  Temptations. 

mgs  for  theUnregcnerate; 


i  6  9  5- 

Warnings  from  the  Dead  :    Sermons  occafior.ed  Ly 
ibmc  capital  Execuuons. 


ty  2)r.  MATHER. 

The  Day  and  the  Work  of  the  Da/4 
Winter 


Early  Religion  with  certain  Memoirs  of  fome  who  at 

their  Death  left  Examples  of  it. 
The  fhort  Hiftory  of  hew-  England. 
£rentologia  Sacra  :  Sermons  occaiioncd  by  remarka 

ble  Thi  nder-Storm*. 
Seven  fcleft  Lectures. 
Duraole  Riches  ;  er  the  true  Caufe  oflofmg,  andtha 

right  Way  of  thriving. 
Help  for  diftreiled  Barents. 

A  good  Mafterwell  icrved  :  or  the  Properties  &  Prac-. 
lice*  of  a  good  Servant,  with  the  Duties  of  a  Mailer 

i  6  9  5. 

i»  Eremo  :    or  the  Lives  of  feveral  famous 

Divines. 

Obfervanda  :  or  the  Life  of  the  late  Queen  MARY  ; 
and  aDifcourfeon  the  \VhcelsofDivineProiidence- 
A  Cry  againft  Oppreliion. 
The  Chriitian  Thank-Offering. 

I   6  9  6. 

IPietas  ifWatriam  :  or  thcLife  of  SirWi  LL  r  A  M  PH  i  p  p$. 
Things  for  a  diftrefled  People  to  thi-nk  upon  .-  A  Scr  - 

mon  at  the  Anniverfary   Eledion  :    with  feveral 

Hiitories  annexed. 
Great  Examples  of  Judgment  and  Mercy  ;  with  Me- 

morablcs  occurring  in  the   Sufferings  of  Captives 
among  the  Indians. 

i  6  9  r 

Gofpel  for  the  Poor. 

The  Songs  of  the  Redeemed  :  A  Book   of  Hymns. 

Faith  at  Work. 

M  :•  £cde 


jTbe  Booh  PublifbeJ 

JEcckjiaftes :  or  the  Life  _  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Mitchel. 
Humiliation*  followed  with  Deliverances  >  to  which 

are  annexed  fome  Remarkable  Providences. 
The  Way   to  excel  ;    A  Funeral  Sermon  on  Mr. 
Jobn  Saily  with  Memoirs  of  his  Life ;    and  the 
Chara&er  of  a  Chriftian. 

a  in  Corporefano ;  or  a  Difcourfe  upon  a 
Recovery  from  Sickncfs. 

i  6  j>  8. 

Bojlottia*  Ebertezer ;  with  a  Lecture  on  Houfe- 

hold  Religion. 
Ekutheria.    An  Idea  of  the  Reformation.,    and  an 

Hiftory  of  Non-Conformity. 
A  Paftoral  Letter  to  the  Englifh  Captives  in  Africa. 
tDecentiium  Luftuofum.     An  Hiftory  of  Remarkable 
Occurrenees  in  the  long  War  with  the  Indians  from 
1688  to  nf<>8  ;  with  two  Lcftures  for  the  Religious 
Improvement  of  them. 
The  terious  Chriflian.     Three  EfTays. 
Pillars  of  Salt.    An  Hiftory  of  Criminals  executed, 
with  two Le&ures  on  Sin  punifhed  with  Sin. 

x  <>  9  9. 

LA  Religion  fura  :    To  which  is  added,  La  Fe  3d 
Cbrijliaffo  :  An  EfTay  to  convey  Religion  into  ths 
Spattijb  India. 
The  Faith  of  the  Fathers :  A  Catechifm  for  the  Jcwifli 

Nation. 
A  Family  well-ordered  :  with  an  Addrefs  ad  Fratres 

in  Eremo. 
Thirty  important  CJes;  publifhed  in  the  Name  of 

the  Minifters  meeting  at  Cambridge. 
A  Letter  of  Advice  to  the  Churches  of  the  Non- 

Conformifts. 

The  EvcrhftingGofp«l ;  or  the  Gofpel  of  Juftification. 
The  Religious  Marriner. 

The  Flocks  warned  againft  Wolves  in  Sheeps  Cloath- 
ing  ;  with  an  Hiftory  of  Impofton,  apd  a  Lefture 
«3n  their  Occafion. 

I  7  CO. 


'Dr.  MATHER. 


i   7 


o  c. 


Things  that  young  People  fKould  think  upon. 

A  monitory  and  hortatory  Letter  to  theEngliih  who 

debauch  the  Indians. 
An  Epiftle  to  the  Chriftian  Indians  ;  Engliih  on  one 

Page,  and  Indian  on  the  other. 
The  good  Linguift. 
A  monitory  Letter  concerning  the  Maintenance  of 

the  Miniftry. 

A  Pillar  of  Gratitude  :  A  Sermon  at  the  Anniver&ry 
Reasonable  Religion.  [  Election. 

Grace  triumphant. 

A   Defence  of  Evangelical  Churches, 
The   great  Phyfician. 
A  Token  for  the  Children  of  New-  England,  in  Nar 

ratives  and  Inftanccs  of  Piety  in  Children. 
American  Tears  upon  the  Ruins  of  the  Greek  Chur- 
The  young  Man's  Monitor.  [  ches. 

Triumphs  over  Troubles. 
The  old  Principles  of  New-  England. 
Chriftiaws  per  Ignew  ;  or  a  Difcip/e  warming  hljn- 
felt   and  owning  his  LORD. 

1701. 

A  Companion  for  the  Afflicted. 
A  Letter  concerning  the  Sufferings  of  our,  Iftoteftaut 
The  young  Man's  Prefervative.  [  Brethren. 

T'haumnto^rafbla,  Chriftiana  :  or  theWonders  of  Jiri- 
Death  made  eafy  and  happy.  [lUanity. 

A   Chriftian  at  his  Calling.     Two  Eflays  ;    One  on 

the  general  Calling,  another  on  the  perfimal. 
Chriltianity  to  the  Life:  ADifcourte  on  tlvc  Imitation 

of  our   SAVIOUR. 
Mafchil  :  or  the  faithful  Inflrudtor,,  ia  Memorials  of 

Chriftianity. 

Advice  to  the  Churches  of  the  I;a;thful;  reporting  the 
prcHrnt  State  of  the  Church  shro'out  the  World. 
ia     CUR  I  S  r  I    Americana    \     or     the 
Churcfi-Hiitory    of  N:~^-Ln^l^nJ. 

M  ;  i-oz  , 


Tfo  Sooks 

1701. 

Cares  about  the  Nurferies. 

Much   in  a  lirtle. 

A  i-ecter  to  tne  ungjfpellized  Plantations. 

A  momsory  Letter  to  them  who  abfcnt   themfelvei 

furni  the  publick  Worftiip  of  GOD. 
A  leafonable  Teitiinony  to  the  Doctrines  of  Grace 

tetch'd  out  of  the   Articles  and   Homilies  of  chc 

Church   ot  England. 
The   portraiture  of  a  good  Man. 
Neceilary  Admonitions  concerning  Sins  of  Omiffion. 
\Vholefome  Words:  or,  A  Vifits  of  Advice  toFamilie* 

vifited  with  Sicknels. 
Jrteat  out  of  the  Hater  :  or  Funeral  Difcourfes  occafi- 

oned  by  the  L>eath  of  feveral  Relatives. 

1703. 

The  Day  which  the  Lord  has  made  :  A  Difcourfe 
concerning  the  Inftitution  and  Obfervation  of  the 
LORP'S  Day. 

The  Glory  of  Goodnefs  ;  with  Remarks  on  the  Re 
demption  of  Captives  rom  theCruelties  Q$'£arbary. 

The  Retired  Chriftian. 

The  high  Attainment :  A  Difcourfe  on  Refignation, 

AgreaL'le  Admonitions  to  Young  and  Old. 

A  Family  Sacrifice. 

Leif^ns  of  v  rbdlindB  for  Children  of  godl^  Anceftorst 

Great  Conf  .lacions  :  or  a  tempted  Chriftian  triumph 
ing  ovrr  his  Temptations. 

The  Amour  ofChriftianity  :  A  TreatHe  on  the  Wiles 
of  the  Devil.  • 

JeJidiah  :  or  a  Favorite  ri  Heaven  defcribed. 

Methods  <Sc  Motives  for  a  Society  tofupprefsDiforders. 

Etf.-K*,  Or  a  vertuous  Woman  found.  An  Effay  on 
the  Death  of  Mrs.  Mary  Brown. 

A  Tree  planted  by  the  Rivers  of  Water.  An  EfTay 
on  the  Improvements  to  be  made  of  our  facred 

-    -1*  ; 

1704. 


by  2Jr.  MATHEJU 

1704. 

Youth  under  a  good  Conduit 

A  weaned  Chrutian. 

A  faithful  Monitor  ;  with  an  Al>ftra»ft  of  the  Laws 

againft  punifhable  Wickednefs. 
Ze  vrai  Matron  de  Saines  Paroles  ;  defign'd'  for  tfe 

Inftru&ion  of  our  French  Captives. 
A  Servant  of  the  LORD  not  afhamcd  of  his  Lour.' 
Faithful  Warnings  to  prevent  fearful  Judgments. 
The  Nets  of  Salvation  ;  with  a  Poem. 
A  Comforter  of  the  Mourners. 
JLex  Mercatoria;  or  the  falfe  Dealer  fairly  dealt  with. 
Jtficetds;   or  Temptations  to  Sin  well   anlv\ered   and 

conquered.  ,  ~ 

'  j&aptijtes  ;  or  a   Conference  'about  the  Subjefl  and. 

Manner  of  Baptilm.        ^ 
Monica  Americana,  ;  or  Female  Piety  exemplified,  in 

a  funeral  Sermon  for  Mrs.  SAT  ah  JLeventt  with  .<n 

Elegy. 


A  Letter  about  the    prefent  State    of  Chriftianity 

among  the  Indians. 
A  faithful  Man  defcribed  and  rewarded  :  A  funeral 

Sermon  for  Mr.  Michael  iVigglef-'sorib,  with   Ivic- 

morials  of  Piety  extracted  from  his  Papers. 
Parental  Wifh.es  and  Charges;  -with  a  j.'oan  entitled 

the  Confcnt. 

Family  Religion  excited  and  affifted, 
The  Rules  of  a  Vifit. 

Marc  'Pc.cificum  ;     or  the  Satisfaflions  of  aiHi^H 
The  Chriftian  Temple.  |  Chriit;:- 

yi^ilaiitius  ;  or  the  Servant  of  the  Lour  found 

for  His  Coming,  on  the   Death  of  fevcn    \ou;\: 

Minifters,  with  an  Elegy. 
The  Religion  oftheClofet.,  or  the  Chriftian  furniJheci 

with  a  Companion  for  Solitude. 

M  ^ 


I  7  O  5. 

Good  Leffons  for  Children,  in  Verfe, 

A  young  Follower  of  a  great  SAVIOUR.' 

£re«  Grace  maintained  and  improved. 

The  Negro  Chriftianized. 

The  good  old  Way  ;  or  Chriftianity  as  it  appeared  in 

the •Lives  of  the  primitive  Chriftians. 
private  Vleetines  animated  and  regulated. 
Heavenly  Coi.fi  Derations ;  or  the  Joy  of  Heavoa  over 

them  that  anfwer  the  Call  of  Heaven. 
Good  fetched  out  of  Evil  :    A  Collection   of  Memor- 

ables  relating  to  our  Capdves. 

The  impenitent  Sinner  di&rm'd  of  his  Plea  for  Impe- 
The  beft  Ornaments  of  Youth.  [nitcncy. 

Treacle  fetch'd  out  of  a  Viper  ;  An  EfTay  upon  Falls 

into  Sin. 
The  Man  of  GOD  furnil^ed  with  fupplies  from  the 

Tower  of  'David. 

An  Eflay  upon,  the  Character  and  Condition  of  the 

[Covetous. 
'1707. 

Another  Tongue  bro't  in  to  confcfs  our  SAVIOHR  ;  of 
Chr.ftianity  in  the  Tongue  of  the  Iroquoii  Indians. 

An  ^flay  upon  profane  Curling  and  Swearing. 

The  Soldier  told  wha,t  he  fhnuld  do. 

The  gr.  iteft  Concern  in  the  V/orld. 

Frontier*  well  defended  :  An  EfTay  directing  our 
Frontiers  how  to  behave  themfelves. 

The  Fall  of  Babylon. 

Ornamental  Piety. 

The  Spirit  of  Life  entring  into  the  Spiritually-Dead. 

Manly  Chriftianity. 

Jfiniigropi  jfujlti  :  Mortality  considered ;  in  a  Sermon 
at  the  Funeral  of  J.  WINTHROP,  Efq  ; 

1708. 

Sober  ConfideratioflS  on  a  gr,pvving  Flood  of  Iniquity, 
Youth  in  its  brighteft  Glory. 


by  jDr,  MATHER,  i*9 

ius  Americanm.  A  funeral  Sermon  on  the 
Death  of  Mr.  Ezek.  Cheever*  with  an  Elegy. 

A  good  Evening  for  the  belt  of  Days. 

The  Temple  opening. 

Nunc  dimittis  briefly  defcanted  on  :  A  funeralSermon 
on  Mr.  John  Higginfo»>  with  Memoirs  of  his  Life. 

1709. 

The  Defires  of  the  Repenting  Believer. 

The  Bonds  of  the  Covenant. 

The  Sailor's  Companion  and  Councilor, 

Work  within  Doors. 

A  Chriftian  Converting  with  the  greateft  Myftcry  of 

AnEfTay  on  theStreets  of  the  Holy  City.  [  Chriftian  ity. 

The  CUPO  of  Sorrow. 

The  Heavenly  Converfation. 

Duft  <^  Afhes  :  An  Effay  on  Repentance  to  the  laft. 

i  ?  i  cj 

Christianity  demonflrated  :  An  Eflay  on  the  \Vitncfs 

within. 
'Bonifaciu^  :  An  Effay  upon  the  Good  to  be  devifed 

by  thofe  who  would  anfwer  the  great  Hnd  of  Lite. 
Elizabeth  in  her  holy  Retirement. 
Man  eating  the  Food  of  Angels  :  or   the  Religion  of 

the   Morning,  with  the  Hiftory  of  l'rcn  li.\tor. 
Nebemiab  :  An  Etfay  on  Divine  Con(blation5. 
Memoriats  of  Early  Piety  :  The  Lift  &  Death  of  Mrs. 

Jerupa  Oliver. 

1711. 


;  or  Orphans  well  provided  for. 
Compalfions  call'd  for-  or  profitable  ReHccrions  on 

milerabie  Spe&acles. 
The  Fiiherman's  Calling. 
A  Chritian  Funeral. 
The  old  Parhs  ReitoreJ. 

Ferfuaiions  from  the  Terror  of  the  LORD  :  A  Ser;vjr»n 
?>nthe  Day  of  Judgment. 

Tho\ 


2^*  Books 

Tho'ts  for  the  Day  of  Rain  ;  or  the  Colpel  of  the 

Rainbow,  &c. 
Advice  from   fJTaberah ;  A  Sermon  after  the  terrible 

Fire  in  Softoa. 
A  Soul  wcU-anchored. 
Winter  Piety. 
Seafonable  Tho'ts  on  Mortality. 

x  7  i  i. 

Awakening  Tho'ts  on  the  Sleep  of  Death ;  with  a 
Debt  paid  unto  the  Memory  of  fome  that  fleep  in 

The  Ways  <5c  Joys  of  Early  Piety.  £  JESVS. 

Paftoral  Defire*. 

The  Young  Man  (poken  to. 

The  hard  Way  of  Tranfgreflbrs. 

Rcafon  latisfied  and  Faith  cftafcliflhed  ;  or  the  Refur- 
region  of  JESUS  demonftrated. 

A  Town  in  its  trucft  Glory. 

Grata,  Brevitas :  A  Ihort  EfTay  to  demonftrate  a  few 
Words  may  have  much  comprized  in  them. 

Repeted  Warnings :  with  the  Remarkable  Experien 
ces  of  a  young  Man. 

Grace  defended  j  with  a  DifTertation  about  the  peni 
tent  Thief. 

A  flyingRoll  to  enter  theHoufe  £  Hand  of  the  Thief. 

ttbitha  Rediviva  :  The  good  Works  of  a  vertuous 
Woman  defcribed  &  commended,  with  fome  Julticc 
to  the  Memory  of  Mrs.  Eli-z.  Hutchinfott. 

1713. 

Adverfus  Libertines ;  or  Evangelical  Obedience  dci 
cribed  and  demanded. 

A  Teflimony  againft  fome  evil  Cuftomes. 

A  Man  of  his  Word. 

Things  to  be  tho't  upon. 

The  A.  B.  C.  of  Religion. 

Golgotha  :  A  lively  Defcription  of  Death ;  with  Me 
morials  of  an  hopeful  Young  Man. 

A  Prefenc  of  Summer  Fruit.  The 


MATHER. 

The  curbed  Sinner  ;  A  Sermon  occafioned  by  a  Sen* 
tence  of  Death  on  a  young  Man  for  Murder. 

What  fhould  be  moft  of  all  tho't  upon 

An  Eflay  upon  a  Soul  at  cafe  j  a  funeral  Sermon  for 
Mrs.  Mary  Rock. 

The  Will  of  a  Father  fubmitted  to. 

The  Religion  of  the  Crofs  ;  occafioned  by  the  Deatb 
of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Mather. 

Hezekiah;  A  Chriftian  armed  with  Strength  foraDay 

The  beft  way  of  Living.  j_  of  Adverfity. 

1714. 

A  perfect  Recovery  j  exhibited  after  a  fickly  Winter 
A  Life  of  Piety  refolvcd  on  :  Upon  the  Death  of  Mr*. 

Sarah  Ting. 

Vita  brevis  j  an  Eflay  upon  withering  Flowers. 
Maternal  Confolations  ;  on  the  Death  of  Mrs.  Mart* 
The  Sacrifices  j_  Mather. 

Jnfanabilia  :  An  EfTay  upon  incureables. 
A  fliort  Life,  yet  not  a  vain  one  :  occafioned  by  fome 

Inflances  of  Mortality. 
Verba  vivifica  :  fome  Words  of  Life,  produced  by  the 

Death  of  fome  young  Perfons 
The  glorious  Throne  :  A  Sermon  on  the  Succeffion  of 

theBritiihCrown  to  the  illuitriousHoufe  of  Hanover. 
tDuodecennitim  luttuofum  :  The  Hiftory  of  a  War  with 

the  Indians  from  the  Year  no:,  to  17  14. 
A  Monitor  for  Communicants. 
Death  Approaching. 

'Pafcentim  :  An  EfTiy  how  to  live  in  hard  Times. 
Verb  a  opportuna  :  The  Circumftances  of  So/ton  con*- 

fidered,  with  frefh  Inculcations  ot  early  Piety. 


Juft  Commemorations  ;  the  Death  of  good  Men  con- 

/idered  with  the  Chamber  of  fome. 
ZJxnciabonfi  e  'Terra  lon^in^'a:   An  Account  offomC 

good  and  great  Things  done  in  E^ro^e.. 

A 


1 7*.  "  The  £ooks 

A  Sorrowful  Spectacle :  Sermons  occafioned  by  a  Sen 
tence  of  Death  on  a  Murderer. 
A  Monitor  for  the  Children  of  the  Covenant. 
The  Echoes  of  Devotion. 
The  grand  Point  of  Sollicitude ;  or  an  Eflay  upon 

Divine  Defercions. 
Good  Men  defcribed  with  the  Character  and  Hiflory 

of  Mr.  Thomas  Bridge. 
Shaking  Dilpenfations  with  Remarks  on  the  Death 

of  the  French  King. 
Lapis  e  Monte  excijus:  The  Stone  cut  out  of  the 

Mountain ;  a  Treatife  in  Englifh  and  Latin. 
'Parentalia  :  The  Bleffings  and  Comforts  for  pious 

Children  after  the  Death  of  their  good  Parents. 
Succeffive  Generations :  Remarks  on  the  Changes,  of 

a  dying  World. 

Vital  Religion  fervcd  with  eight  EiTays. 
Fair  Dealing  bgtween,  Debtor  and  Creditor. 
The  Servants  of  Abraham ;  with   Motives  for  the  In- 

ftruftion  of  Servants. 
Life  fwifdy  paffingand  quickly  ending  j  on  the  Death 

of  Mrs.  Mebirabel  Gerrijb. 
The  City  of  Refuge. 
The  Chriftian  Cynick.     . . 


The  Refort  of  Piety. 

Piety  demanded. 

Directions  how  to  fpend  the  LORD'S  Day  Evening. 

A  brief  Eflay  on  Tokens  for  Good. 

The  Thankful  Chriftian. 

Viflorina :  A  Sermon  on  the  Deceafe  of  Mrs.  Kart-ka- 

rin  Mather,  with  a  further  Account. 
Zelotes  :  A  Zeal  for  the  Houfe  of  GOD  blown  up ; 

A  Sermon  at  the  opening  of  a  new  Church. 

1717. 
The  Ofe  of  a  troubled  Mind. 


ly  "Dr.  MATH*?.. 

Jconcdftjles  :  An  Eflay  upon  Idolatry  too  often  com« 

mitted  under  the  moft  Reformed  Chriftianity. 
The  Voice  of  theDove;  with  Memoirs  of  Mr.  Robert 

Kitchen. 

TheEverlaftingGofpel  to  be  preach'd  unto  theNations. 
TheVafley  of  Hinnom  :  The  Terrors  of  Hell  demon- 

ftrated  in  the  hearing  of  a  murderous  Malefactor. 
"Febrifu&iwn  :  AnEflay  for  the  Cure  of  ungodlyAnger. 
Jbtnftajws:  The  RefaiTcction  ofZaxarus  improved. 
The  Tribe  of  After  :  A  Sermon  at  the  Baptifin  of 

a  Grand  Child. 
Piety  and  Equity  united,    i.    The  Defires  of  Piety. 

i.    The  Meafures  of  Equity. 
The  Divine  Sovereignty  difplayed  and  adored  ;  on 

the  Death  of  Mrs.  Hatwab  Sewalt. 
Hades  lookM  into  _•    The  Power  of  our  SAVIOUR: 

over  the  invifible  World  ;  at  the  Funeral  of  Wait 

WiWhorp  Efa;  with  an  Elegy  and  Epitaph. 
Inftruftions  to  the  Living  from  the  Condition  of  the 

Dead  :  Remarkables  on  the  Fate  of  Pirates;    and  a 

Sermon  on  their  Occafion. 
Faith  encouraged  ;  with  a  Rdaticn  of  the  JewilH 

Children  at  Berlin. 
Rafbael  :  The  Bleflings  of  an  healed  Soul  confidered 


An  EfTay  to  do  good  unto  the  Widow. 

The  obedient  SurFerer. 

Brethren  dwelling  together  in  Unity:  A  Sermon  at 

the  Ordination  of  a  Baptift  Minifter. 
'Pfolterium  j4mericanum  \    The   Book  of  'Pfalms  in, 

Blank  Verlc,  with  Illuftrations. 
A  Man  of  Rcafon. 
An  Ellay  on  theCondkion  of  Man  known  inhisPlace 

no  more  :  A  funeralSermon  forMr.'f'bcmasBarvard. 
Providence  allerced  and  adored  :  A  Sermon  occafloned 

by  the  Death  of  feveral  who  were  drowned. 
The  Religion  of  an  Oath, 


174 


A  diftrefled  People  entertained  with  Propofali  fot 

the  Relief  of  their  Diftreffes. 
A  new  Year  well  begun  :  An  Eflfay  offered  oh  a  New 
Genetklia  fia  :  Thot's  for  a  Birth  Pay.    [Years  Day. 
Vigilius  ;  or  the  Awakener. 
Youth  advifed  :  An  Effay  on  the  Sins  of  Youth. 
A  glorious  Efpoufal. 
fDefiderius  :  A  defireablc  Man  dcfcribed  with  a  Com* 

memoration  of  Mr.  fames  Keitto. 
An  Heavenly  Life. 

The  Salvation  of  the  Soul  confidered. 
The  Tried  Profeflbr. 
An  Eflay  on  fcafonable  Interpofitions  of  Divine  Pro* 

vidence,  on  the  5th  of  November. 
The  Righteous  Man  defcribed,  and  afTertcd  as  the 

excellent  Man  :  A  -Sermon  on  Mr.  Jofefh  Gerrijb. 
An  Account  of  an  nncommon  Appearance  in  the 

Heavens,  with  Remarks  npon  it. 
A  Year  and  a  Life  well  concluded  :  A  Sermon  on 

the  laft  Day  of  the  Year. 
Sincere  Piety  defcribed,  &  theTrial  of  Sincerety  affiftcd. 

1710. 

A  Brother's  Duty  :  An  EfTay  on  every  Man  his  Bro* 

thers  Keeper. 

The  quickned  Soul  ;  or  the  Withered  Hand  revived. 
-  Ceheleth  :  A  Soul  upon   Recolle&ion  coming   into 

inconteftible  Sentiments  of  Religion. 
Undoubted  Certainties  :  A  certain  Profped  of  Death  ^ 

A  Sermon  on  Mrs.  Abigail  Sew  all. 
The  Right  way  of  fhaking  off  a  Viper.- 
The  Chriftian  Philofopher. 
The  Ambaflador's  Tears. 
The  accomplilVd  Singer. 
American  Sentiments  OR  the  Arian  Controvei  fy. 


by  2?r.  MATHER. 

1721. 

Chrijliana  :  An  Account  of  the  Propagation  of 
Chriftianity  in  the  Eaft  as  well  as  Weft-Indies. 
Hcrttfta  Parfimowa  •   or  Time  {pent  as  it  fhould  be, 
What  the  pious  Parent  wiihes  for. 
A  Vifion  in  the  Temple  ;   or  the  LORD  of  Hofts 

adored. 

The  dreadful  Sound  in  the  Ears  of  the  Wicked. 
The  World  Alarm'd. 
Genuine  Chriftianity  :  A  funeral  Sermon  for  Mrs. 

Frances  Webb. 
Silcntiariiti  :  An  Eflay  on  the  Patience  and  Silenc* 

with  which  fad  Things  are  co  be  entertained:  O» 

the  Death  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Willard. 
An  Account  of  the  Methtd  and  Succefs  of  Inoculat 

ing  the  Small-<Pcx. 


Love  triumphant  :  A  Sermon  at  the  gathering  a  new 

Church  and  Ordaining  their  Pallor. 
Sethiab  ;   Or  the  Glory  which  adorns  the  Daugh 

ters  of  GOD. 
The  Minifter  .-  A  Sermon  at  the  Annivcrfary  Con 

vention  of  Miniiters. 

Doves  flying  to  the  Windows  of  their  SAVIOUR. 
An   Eflay  on   the  vain  Preemption  of  Living  and 

Thriving  ;  On  the  premature  Death  of  a  Young 

Gentleman, 
Tia  'Defideria-y  Or  the  fmoking  Flax  railed  into  a 

facred  Flame. 
Nifrnatb-C/jajim,  the  probable  feat  of  all  Difeafes, 

and  a  general  Cure  for  them. 
Divine  Afflations  :  An  Eflay  to  dcfcribe  the  gracious 

Influences  of  the  HOLY  SPIRIT. 
The  Soul  upon  the  Wing  :   An  Eilay  on  the  State  of- 

the  Dead, 


i      z 


S'bt  Sock 

1713. 

*fhe  Voice  of  GOD  in  the  Temperr. 
J&ttbanajta ;  or  fudden  Death  made  cafy  and  happy : 

A  funeral  Sermon. 
CceMfvus :  A  CoBvcrfation  in  Heaven  quickncd  and 

amfted. 

Some  feafonable  Enquiries  upon  Epifcopacy. 
A  Walk  with  GOD   characterized  :  A  Sermon  015 

Mr.  Jcfeph  Selcber, 

The  LORD  nigh  Admiral  of  all  the  Seas  adored. 
Valerius  ;  or  Proipericy  of  the  Soul  dcfcribed. 
A  Father  departing;    A  Sermon  on  Dr.  Jncreffe 

Mather. 

An  Eilay  on  Remarkables  in  the  Way  of  wicked  Men, 
The  pure  Nazarite. 
*Parentator  :    Memoirs  of  the  Life  of  Dr.  Xncre&ft 

Mather. 

i  7  a  4. 

Propofals  for  Religious  Societies,  with  a  Sermon. 
The  Converted  Sinner,  upon  this  Execution  of  fomc 

Pirates. 
Stimulator  ;    Or    the  Cafe  of  a  Soul  walking  in 

Darknefs. 
The  true  Riches  :   An  Eflay  on  the  unfearchable 

Riches  of  CHRIST. 

The  Nightingale:  An  Eflay  on  Songs  among  Thorns. 
Light  in  Darknefs ;    with   an  Example  of  a  Young 

Perfon  meeting  Death  with  Triumphs  over  it. 
A  fhort  Eflay  on  Troubles  to  be  look'd  for. 
A  Funeral  Sermon  for  Governor  SALTONSTAL. 
Une  grand  Voix  du  Clel  a  In  France. 
Three  Sermons  on  the  Death  of  a  Son. 
A  good  Reward  of  a  good  Servant :  on  Mr.  y&omts 

Walter. 

1725, 

The  Palm-bearers  :  A  Relation  of  patient  <&  joyfulSuf- 
fcrings  in  tbeChurch  ofSeotlaaJ  from  1^60  to  itf8S. 

Virtu« 


by  Dr.  MATHER»  177 

Virtue  in  it's  Verdure  :   A  funeral  Sermon  for  Mrs. 

Abigail  Browne.  ,      , 

Repeated  Adtnonkions  about  the  Maintenance  of  the 

Miniftry. 
All  fupplied  in  an  all-fufficicnt  SAVIOUR  :  a  funeral 

Sermon.  -    . 

The  Waters  of  Marab  fweetned  ;  on  the  Death  of  a 

young  Gentleman. 
The  Gofpel  of  the  brazen  Serpent. 
2)  E  US  NobiCcum  ;  a  brief  Eilay  on  the  Enjoyment 

of  GOD: 

Renatus :  or  a  Soul  paffing  from  Death  to  Life. 
The  Choice  of  Wifdom. 
^Diluvium  Ignis.  . .,  . 

Dire&ions  for  a  Candidate  of  the  Miniltry. ,. 
Vital  Christianity;  cr  the  Life  of  COD  in  the  Soul  of 
Man. 

i  7  z  6. 

Ratio  (Lifci^linif  Fratrum  Nov-Anglorum. 

A  good  old  Age  :  The  Glory  of  Aged  Piety. 

Some  feafonable   Advice  to  the  Poor.    .      . 

The  Condition  to  which  the  Proteftant  Religion  is 
reduced. 

Ecclefia  A'bnilia  :    The  Treafwre  of  the  Almighty 
KJNG  opened,  with  Memorials  of  Mrs.  Eliz.  Cotton. 

A  Vial  poured  out  on  the  Sea  :    occafioned  by  the 
Execution  of  fome  Pirates. 

An   EfTay  to  befpeak  early  Piety  ;    on  the  Departure 
of  Mrs.  Eii-jj.  Cooper. 

^Terra  leata :  An  EfFay  on  the  Bleffing  of  Abradant. 

The  Inftructor, 

An  Eflay  on  the  Light  which  good  Men  have  in  dark 
Hours.  ,     .  , 

The  Comforts  of  one  walking  thro'  the  Valley  ot  th^ 

j  Shadow  of  Death. 

A  Soul  bound  up  in  the  Bundle  of  Life, 

jNails   fattened. 

Ignorantia  ftientijica  :  AnEflay  on  Man's  hof  know 
ing  his  Time, 

N  i  -  »  ?. 


75  T'he  Books 


The  evident  Tokens  of  Salvation. 

The  fealed  Servant  of  GOD  appearing  with  a  well- 

certified  Adoption. 
The  Marrow  of  the  Gofpel  :  or  the  Union  between 

Carp.  IST  and  the  Believer. 
Rcftitutus  :    A  Difcourfe  made  upon  a  Recovery 

from  Sickneii. 

jA&ricola  ;  or  the  Religious  Husbandman. 
Chriftian  Loyalty,  on  the  Death  of  King  GEORGE  I. 

and  Accehion  of  King  GEORGE  II. 
An  happy  Departure  ;  on  the  Death  of  Mr.  Willitw 

Waldron. 

The  Balance  of  the  Sanftuary. 
The  Yoke  born  in   Youth  -3  with  an  Account  of  a 

Young  Perfon. 
The  Terror  of  the  LORD;  with  Remark*  oh  tho 

EARTHQUAKES. 

An  Eflay  to  preferve  and  itrengthen  the  good  Im- 
preifions  made  by  EARTHQJJAK.EVS. 

An  Eflay  towards  a  Religious  Improvement  of  Bap- 
tifm,  at  the  fight  of  Adminiftration. 

The  Chambers  of  GOD  opened  and  vifited  ;  on  th* 
Death  of  Mr.  'Peter  Thacber.  —  N.B.  I'M*  was  t&* 
laft  Sermon  my  Father  deliver'^  from  the  'JPul- 
ftt  :  and  truly  fuch  a  Sermon  as  a  good 
defire  jkou'd  be  his  laft. 


SINCE  his  Deceafe  there  have  been  twa  Sermons, 
which  he  left  prepared  for  the  Prefs^  publifhed  ; 
their  Titles  are, 

The   \Vidow  of  Naint. 
The  Ifeiy^ical  Marriage. 

THESE  ftro  make  the  Number  of  his  Books  to 
be  tJbret  Hundred  and  eighty  tforet. 


&y  2)r. 

/>.  AFTER   this  CAfAL  OGUE,  I  will  here  take 
Mhe  Liberty  of  borrowing  two  or  three   Lines   from 
BUCHANAN'S  Eficedium  on  CALVIN  and  apply.ng 
them  to  the  Doctor. 

Hum  ergo  in  Tor  turn  c<eio  flaudente  receptum, 
1u   licet  in  placid  A  trattquillus  'Pace  quiejcas  ; 
2fc»  tamen  omnino  petuit  tnors  invida  totum 
^Toller  e   MATHERUM    ierris  ;  Mterna  mambunt 
Ingettii  Monument  'a  Jut  -y  et  livoris  iniqui 
Xanguida  paulatim  cum  Flamma  rcfederil\ 
Religio   qua  fur  anitetfe  fundet  in  Or  as 
tut  -  ;  — 


WHICH  Lines  I  have  EriglifKed  after  this  mariner] 

THO*  Heaven  rejoice  you're  of  your  Port  poffeftj 
And  you  may  now  in  Peace  and  Safety  reft;  : 
Yet  envious  Death  ^  which  him  reduced  to  Clay, 


Our  MATHER  could  not  wholly  urge 
No,  No  ;  Eternal  muft  his  Works  remain  ; 
Tho  ricn  Productions  of  his  Fruitful  Brain 
When   by  Degrees^  as  a  weak  Flame  of 
Curs'd  Envy  (hall  with  trembling  Flirts  expire  ; 
Then  where  there's  any  pure  Religion  found^ 
thy  Name  (hall  reach^   thy  Fame 


FINIS. 


THE 

CO  NTE  NTS, 


nrHE  Introduction  to  the  Do&or's  Life. 

CHAP.     I. 

His  more  private   Hiftory. 

1.  His  Birth  and   Family. 

z.  His  Education,  Eagernefs  and  Progrefs  in 
Learning  ;  with  early  Favors, 
5.  His  Early  Religion. 

4.  Marriages  and  Children  with  his  Methods 

of  Educating  them. 

5.  His  private  Conduct. 

CHAP.  II. 

His  public  Appearances  and  fignal Services, 

j.  HisM'miftry  with  what  relates  to  it. 

2.  Being  concerned  in  other  Affairs  j 

i.  Inilruclion  of  Scholars.  40. 
i.  An  Account  of  the  Revolution  in  N.E.    4r. 

5.  Witchcrafts  in   N.  E.  44. 

4.  Giving  Advice  at  home.  47. 

5.  Writing  beyond  Sea.  ibid. 

6.  Societies  related  unto.  48. 
i.  Evangelical  Trcafury.  ibid. 
8,  Inoculation.  ibid 

.  Services 


CONTENTS.  181; 

j.  S«rvicef  Abroad.  tyiJ. 

10.  Learning  Languages.  40, 

n.  His  Charity.  #;W. 

zii  Continual  Serviceablenefs,  %li.i. 

CHAP.    III. 

Hi*  Experiences  and  Deliverances.  ' :, 

i.  Temptations  Conquered.  ibid'. 

a.  Dangers  Efcaped.  ibiJ. 

3.  Tho'ts  in  Sicknefs  and  Exemptions 

from  it.  6 1 

4.  Carriage  when  Evil  Tongues  and 

Pens  attacked  him.  ^5. 

CHAP.    IV. 

His  VariouiWritings  and  their  Character.  6j . 

Books  Publifiied.  69. 

Books  in  Manufcript,  7^. 

iTho't *  on  preparing  them.  75. 

CHAP.    V. 

His  Foreign  Honors  &  Correfpondcncies.      -4.. 

i.  His  Foreign  Honors,  ibid. 

i.  Doctorate  of  Divinity.  ibid. 

a.  Fellowfhip  of  the  Royal  Society,  77. 

3.  Worldly  Honors  dcfpifed.  79. 

i.  His  Foreign  Correfpondencies,.  So. 

,\ 

CHAP,    VI, 

His  Practice  of  I-icty.  82, 

1.  Chufing  GOD,  Converfing  \vith,  rcfign- 
,   ing  to  and  Delidvjn.q-  in  HIM. 

* 


i  .  C    O    H   2*   E    N   T*  & 

z.  Clofing  with  CHRIST,  Accepting  His 
Ri^htcoufaefs,  Loving  his  Glory,  and 
Living  by  Faithjn  Him,  $£„ 

5.  Occasional   Tho'ts  and  Ejaculatory 

Prayers.  501. 

4,  FaftSj  Thanksgivings,  Vigils  and 

Self-  Examinations. 

5.  His  Morning  Tho'ts   and   other  pious 

E^crcifes. 

?.  Morning   Tho'ts.  ibid. 

i.  Way  of  {pending  Saturday  Afternoon, 
$.  Method  of  Sabbacizing. 
4.  Reading  Scriptures  &  Application  of 

Promifes.  H3- 

5  ,,  6.  Imployment  of  Mind  &  Prayers  at 

the  LORD'S   Table.  135,137. 

>  Three  fpecial  Favors   defir'd.  137. 

8.  Rcfolutions  for  a  Walk  with  GOD.  ibid. 

CHAP.    VII. 
His  latter  Days. 

1.  His  Way  of  Living.  139. 

2.  His  Sentiments  upon  fome  importantThiug$.i4o. 
g.  His  Temper  in  his  laft  Illnels  yvith  the, 

Circumftances  of  his  Death. 


Catalogue  of  his  $ooks.  j5r. 


$t$*§t§$*^ 

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(P^g-l 3-)anc^  at  tne ^ame  time  promifed  that 
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L  THE  facred  Scriptures  of  the  Old  |nd  New- 
T'-'lament  exhibited,  //;  the  Order  a/time,  wherein 
the  icveral  and  fucceifive  Occurrences  may  direct  to 
the  Placing  and  heading  of  them  :  which  Exhibi- 
ti  m  done  will  greatly  inlightcn  them.,  aod  do  the 
Service  cf  a  valuable  Commentary. 

//.  AN  Emendation  of  our  prefent  Verflon  ;  from 
the  Difcoveries  of  the  moft  learned  i'hilologifts  from 
th-  earlieft  Ages  of  facred  Literature  down  to  Bochart, 
r  and  'Parker:  and  a  particular  notice  ol  thofe 
i  .-.ny  inftanccs  wherein  our  greaceft  Mailers  of  the 
v.>  i-^inal  Languages  have  exprefs'd  their  wiflies  to  fee 
tn-  common  franllacion  amended  and  rerined. 

///.  A    rich   Colle-^ion  of  AMTIQJTITIES  which 

-  t  a  Light  on  the  Heavenly  Oracles  ;    cfpecially 

,  ,  jfe  wherein  the  Idolatry,  Oeco»omicksf  Politicks., 

•  -ricnlfure,  Afckitettwe,  'fafticks,  Mufak,  Habits,, 
"IDiets,  &c  in  former  Ages  may  have  fomcKcference  in 
the  facred  Pages  to  them. 

IF.  THE  LA.WS  of  the  Jfraelitijb  Nation  inter 
preted,  and  refcued  from  the  Mi/interpretations  that 
fome  famous  Writers  have  put  upon  them  :  contrary 
to  the  real  Oriinal  arid  true  Intention  of  them. 


V.  THE  TYPES   of  the  Bible  accommodated  with 
their  Jirtfityfesi   by   which   a  wondrous  Mixture  of 
facred   'Prcfit  and  'Plsjfure   arifes  from   thofe  Para 
graphs.,  which  fcemed  to  be  the  leail  Inftructive. 

VI.  REMARKS  as  well  for  the   Illustration  of  the 
Old  'Teftamer.t  as  for  the  Confirmation  cf  the  Neit'j 
drawn  out  of  thofe  very  unpromiiing  hcapSjthe  TAL- 
MUDS  and  other  Jewifh  Writings.  .  . 

VII.  NATURAL  PniLOSorHY   brought   to  fervc 
rri"  tiled  Religion.     The  faireft  Hypothtfes  offered 
of  th^fe  grand  Revolutions,  the  Creating,  'Drowning 
and  Burning  Of  the  World  -t  together  with  the  jiflro- 


ttottttcal  Affairs,  the  Meteors,  Mitttralss  Vegetables? 
Unimals,  2)ifeafes3  Anatomical  Curiofitjes,  and  what 
relates  to  the  Invifible  World  of  Good  or  Evil  Spi 
rits,  mentioned  in  thefc  Divine  Pages,  as  they  are 
reprefcnted  in  the  bejt  Ffto'ts  of  our  %imes. 

VIII.  THE    CHRONOLOGY    of  the    Bible  every 
where   cleared  of  it's   Difficulties  —  with   the  moil 
accurate  Harmony  of  the  Gofpels  that  has  yet  been 
offered. 

IX.  THE  facred  GEOGRAPHY  ;  in  which,  there  are  " 
the  iituation  of  Varadife  and  Tctteftine  ;   witK  an 
Account  how  the  Earth  has  been  peopled  ;    and  a 
Collection  of  thofe  many  inilructive  Things,  which 
Travellers  of  unfpotted  Veracity  have  contubuted  for 
our  illumination. 

X.  AN   elaborate  and   entertaining  Hiftory  of  the 
I»RABLiTiSH  NATION  in  every  ljlacc  ;     cfpecially 
from  the  Birth  of  our  great  REDEEMER  to  this  very 
Day  -,  with  a  particular  Hi'ftory  of  the  City  JERUSA 
LEM  under  it's  wonderful  Viciifitudes  from  the  Days 
ofMELCHiiEDEK  dovm  to  ours  ;  of  the  ancient  Setts 
among  the  fews  and  their prefrnt  wretched  State,  the- 
Relicks  of  the  "fen  as  well  as  the  (f\vo  Bribes  and 
where  they  are  now  difpcrfed. 

XL  THE  HISTORIES  of  all  Ages  called  in  toftio\v 
how  the  'Prophecies  of  the  Divine  Oracles  have  had 
their  moil  punctual  Accomplifli'ment  ;  wherein  the 
Reader  will  find  an  intire  Body  of  Ecclefiaftical  Hifto- 
ry  :  and  modeft,  but  ftrcngly  eftablifh'd  Conjectures 
on  fuch  as  yet  remain  to  be  fulfilled,  and  the  State  of 
the  Church  and  World  in  future  Ages  to  the  End  of 
Time. 

XII.  THE  true  Doctrine  of  the  Sabbatical  CHI 
LIAD,  which  more  opens  and  breaks  in  oh  the  runs 
confiderate  Inquirers  as  the  Day  aopreajhes,  brought 
in  as  a  Key  to  verv  much  of' the  Wealth  which  the 
Church  ofGoti  poffcfles  in  thisBook  of  the  Kins^i^^r.  : 
With  the  clcafrft  Tho'ts  of  the  m'oft  pcnetratiru;  IVn- 
ters  on  the  Apocalypfc,  refcucd  from  the  nvre  ?.; 
trary  and  indcfenfible- Conceits  of  fitoeiicill  Students 
^a  the  facred  I  ro  jhtlies. 

TH5. 


*8<S  A®  VER 

THE  ufual  Method  for  the  Publication  of  fuch  a 
Work,  has  been  by  SUBSCRIPTIONS,  and  in 
the  Propofals  to  give  a  computation  of  the  number  of 
Sheets,  and  the  price  of  the  Books,  to  Subfcribers  in 
Quires:,  and  when  Bound  :  But  in  the  prefent  Cafe 
the  precife  Number  of  Sheets  cannot  eallly  be  known, 
which  willoccafion  fomething  of  uncertainty. 

However, 

,  IT  is  fuppofed  that  the  Work  will  be  contained 
"\n  Ibree  columns  in  FOLIO,  and  may  be  afforded  for 
between  T'hne  £  Four  Wounds  Sterling  ;  and  in 
New- England  Money  according  as  the  Exchange 
fliall  then  be.  f.  Whoever  fhalliSubicri.be  and  Pay  for 
"Ten  Sefs  fliall  have  One  Gratis,  which  will  con-, 
fiderably  reduce  the  price.  And  as  a.  farther  Motive, 
it  may  be  faid,  That  this  Performance  will,  not  inter 
fere  with  the  Works  of  the  Excellent  POOL,  BUR  KIT, 
or  HENRY  :  It  being  the  conftant  ftudy  of  the  Au 
thor  to  avoid  it,  and  in  this  to  add  whatever  other 
curious  things  have  yet  been  publiuYd  on  the  facred 
Scriptures. 

SUBSCRIPTIONS  will  be  taken  by  Samuel  Ge rri/i3 
^Daniel  Henchman  and  Thomas  Hancock  Bookfellers^ 
in  Bofton  ;  and  as  foon  as  there  fhall  appear  fufficient 
Encouragement,  the  Manufcrifts  will  be  fent  to 
London  to  be  Printed  there,  with  all  convenient 
Expedition,  and  Care  will  be  taken  of  the  Paper, 
Printing  and  Binding,  that  it  be  fuitable  to  fuch  a 
Work.  , 

The    END. 


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